Sculpting Haliburton’s summer streetscape

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June 24, 2021

Statues are back on Highland Street in Haliburton Village during Haliburton’s Downtown Sculpture exhibition.

The exhibition was put on pause last year. But the joint venture of the Haliburton BIA and Haliburton Sculpture Forest has again brought sculptors from around Ontario to show their work on the village’s main street.

“Haliburton is so much known for art, but you don’t necessarily see it on the main street,” said Jim Blake, curator of the Haliburton Sculpture Forest.

“It also is a way to connect the downtown with the sculpture forest,” Blake said. “[We] have thousands of visitors coming to the sculpture forest, and this is a connection of the two things as well.”

Each of six unique sculptures is for sale – in the past, some have been bought and donated to the sculpture forest. They’ll be in place on Highland Street until October 26.

Sculptures from around Ontario are represented this year. Mark Puigmarti, a blacksmith from Port Perry, is exhibiting an interactive sculpture called Art of Noise.

He forged the sculpture from an I-beam of metal.

“I wanted to create a custom piece that allows for interactive sound – just a fun piece,” Puigmarti said.

Viewers can hit a hanging shape similar to an xylophone to create music.

In front of Highland Street’s Rexall, Don Frost installed his sculpture, Depth. His creation, a twisted bronze shape with swoops and cut-outs used carbon fibre to shape Mylar film over fibre glass.

“It’s a spiritual experience,” Frost said. “It was built and analyzed as I went.”

Frost is an internationally-celebrated sculptor who has developed his practice since the age of six.

Four other artists, out of 29 entries, have work displayed on Highland Street.

Jennifer Kelly displays Take Flight in front of the Wind in the Willows; Eric Tardiff’s Parallel Composition is outside Glecoff’s Family Store; Robert Wehkamp’s Black Reflection is in front of Capturing Eden and Brett David is showing Athena on the corner of Highland and York Street.

For each artist, Blake is shooting a short video introduction of the sculpture and their creation instead of the usual launch celebration.

Each video will be available on the Haliburton Sculpture Forest website.

Blake said he was excited to gather sculptors in Haliburton once more.

“It’s so wonderful to see them – what’s even better for me is to get to meet the artist,” Blake said. “The fact that they have chosen to show their work here, that’s a real privilege.”

Land Trust clears way for advocacy work

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Sam Gillett

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June 24, 2021

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The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) has developed an advocacy policy that they say will help guide the organization in environmental protection efforts.

At the HHLT’s virtual AGM on June 15, board members explained the new document which outlines how and when the Trust will get involved with issues, whether through media campaigns, public speaking, publishing research and more.

“The question had been raised: do we see a role for our organization, to take what we know about the importance of protecting wetlands and say something – bring that forward?” asked board member Jennifer Dailloux.

“Any sort of policy that could foreseeably have a detrimental impact, the board has agreed that we could explore getting involved,” Dailloux added.

Board member Joan Duhaime told HHLT members that with no official policy, it was difficult for the Land Trust to put advocacy to work.

“We kind of almost had to say ‘no’ until we had the policy,” Duhaime said.

While the board did not give specific details of any upcoming advocacy work, members of the HHLT and the public will be informed of projects, and only advocacy efforts endorsed by the board can be conducted under the HHLT.

Besides community interest, the policy is prompted by a change in Canadian Revenue Agency guidelines for registered charities.

Last November, CRA released revised regulations which allows charities to engage in lobbying, public policy dialogue and more, only if it is in line with the organization’s charitable purpose.

HHLT chairperson Shelley Hunt said while protection of local habitats is a foundational principle for the trust, the permission to formally advocate for or against policies “is just another tool in the toolkit.”

“Anything we decide as an organization that we’re going to get involved with, will be a board decision,” Hunt said.

Board members voiced enthusiasm for how the new policy could help shape protection efforts in the Highlands. “It will be an adventure but a good one for sure,” Dailloux said.

A pandemic review

HHLT has had a busy 2020: they opened Barnum Creek Nature Reserve and its seven kilometres of trails and received multiple grants and bursaries to assist with ongoing costs and capital projects.

While COVID-19 cancelled many in-person events, funds from grants totalling over $100,000 have been used to further the organization’s goal of preservation and education of the County’s ecosystems.

An RBC Foundation grant of $25,000 funded the mapping and evaluation of the Lochlin Wetland Complex. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation also provided money to run the HHLT’s Discovery Days virtual education programs.

The HHLT also was key in new protections for the ‘Highlands Corridor,’ consisting of wetlands between Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, Kawartha Highlands and Silent Lake Provincial Park.

An Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund grant will go towards redesigning the HHLT’s website and improving capacity for virtual programs.

Much of the trust’s fundraising went online this year.

“We had to adjust our plans to pandemic restrictions but managed to run successful fundraisers in 2020,” Hunt said.

She explained how sales of Barnum Creek and the Burnt River jigsaw puzzles, a new virtual “Rock our World” fundraiser and a near doubling in membership fees contributed to that success.

The HHLT also received support from local businesses and community organizations.

HCDC donated $6,700 for new gates at Barnum Creek Nature Reserve, Haliburton’s Rotary Club contributed $3,500 in donations in 2020 and Canoe FM bingo proceeds equalled $5,000.

“We’re very lucky to have strong support in the community,” Hunt said.

For a full report of the Land Trust’s activities, visit their website: haliburtonlandtrust.ca

Council votes down Crown land sale at Centre Lake

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Lisa Gervais

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June 24, 2021

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At its June 22 meeting, Highlands East council voted 3-1 against supporting a planning amendment to allow the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to consider the disposition of Crown land along the shoreline of Centre Lake.

Two landowners have submitted applications to the MNRF requesting the disposition of a 200-foot Crown reserve, one for the proposed Granite Shores resort and wellness spa.

The decision-making on Crown land will ultimately fall to the MNRF, though the municipality can provide feedback and would have a role in subsequent planning approvals if the land is disposed of.

In a recorded vote at Tuesday’s meeting, Councillors Cam McKenzie, Ruth Strong and Suzanne Partridge voted against, while deputy mayor Cec Ryall was the lone supporter. Mayor Dave Burton did not have to vote because it was not a tie.

Planner Chris Jones had recommended support, “on condition that any future disposition by the Ministry require municipal consideration and input with respect to options aimed at preserving the shoreline to the most reasonable extent possible as well as public access to Centre Lake.”

McKenzie foreshadowed the vote result when he told council, “I’ve had numerous inputs from residents both in person and by phone and only one has been pro so I will be asking for a recorded vote.”

Partridge concurred, saying “I have great concerns about the ministry disposing of the Crown land around Centre Lake. It’s a unique and really valuable resource to our local residents, both seasonal and permanent residents. It’s very well used by kayakers, and canoers and fisher people and I can’t support us supporting the sale of this land.”

Ryall asked numerous questions about the disposition, including the township’s role in ensuring environmental protections.

He said he understood council’s struggles with the file since there were residents in favour and against. He said his main concern was the environment.

“If these people were crazy enough to go through this process, which looks to me is going to cost more than a dollar and a half and it’s going to take a block of time, I have no problem with a registered vote and I will be voting in favour of it.”

During a township-led public consultation April 27, IBI Group planner, Julia Redfearn, representing Granite Shores, said they had prepared studies and assessments. She said the resort and spa could bring $450,000 annually to the municipality in property taxes alone and is willing to work with council and the public to refine the conceptual plan. She also said the development will go ahead with or without Crown land.

Tashlin and Williams: ‘people we ought to look up to’

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Sam Gillett

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June 24, 2021

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Dysart et al will begin fundraising for two new murals on the A.J. LaRue Rrena which celebrate the achievements of Haliburton athletic heroes.

It’s the conclusion of a student-led fight for inclusion of Lesley Tashlin and Taly Williams, two athletes from Haliburton who achieved success at the national level.

Students from J.D. Hodgson Elementary School wrote a letter to Mayor Andrea Roberts in March 2021, explaining how the accomplishments of the siblings, who are Black, merited a spot on the arena’s wall of murals.

“I feel a lot of pride, in terms of our school and in terms of our community,” said Mike van den Hengel, a teacher at J.D.H. and member of the sub-committee which developed the guidelines through the cultural resources committee.

On June 22, council accepted a report from the committee, which included two students. The finalized report seeks to “remove any barriers to inclusion” on the mural wall. That includes formalized criteria for athlete selection and their connection to the community.

Marina Thomazo, the teacher whose class began the effort to recognize the two athletes, said the resolution also was a recognition of the students’ hard work.

“It’s because there were hurdles – that’s when the resilience kicked in,” Thomazo said. “It’s the hurdles that led the class to something more rewarding at the end.”

Principal David Waito said he was proud of the way students pushed for change, but the focus is on the future: two athletic heroes will be properly recognized.

“It’s important to remember this is about Taly [Williams] and Lesley [Tashlin], to remind us of what role models they are,” Waito said. “Beyond the athletic achievements that they have, they’re people that we all ought to look up to.”

In a video presented to council, students explained how they were inspired by the achievements of Williams and Tashlin.

Tashlin is the first Haliburton resident to compete for Canada, entering the 100-metre hurdles and 4 x 100 metre relay race at the 1996 Olympics. Williams played defense for the Toronto Argonauts and Hamiliton Tiger Cats from 1994-1996. They both broke multiple sporting records at HHSS.

Jim Blake, chair of the cultural resources committee, explained how both athletes met “all of the criteria” that the committee established for inclusion on the arena’s wall.

“Given that these individuals are and were eminently qualified to be honoured as sports heroes on the mural wall,” Blake said, “it was recommended that they be immediately approved for recognition on the mural wall.”

Roberts said she was impressed with the speed at which the committee returned to council with a full report and recommendations.

“This has been well thought out, well talked about and taken extremely seriously,” Roberts said. She also thanked the Grade 7 and 8 students who jumpstarted the process.

“We are righting a wrong that was overlooked,” Roberts said.

Across Canada, the story made waves with athletes and athletic news outlets. Former CFL star Pinball Clemons wrote a letter in support of the students’ campaign, and in May, Athletics Canada published an article about the effort.

Currently, all athletes depicted on the arena are white males: NHLers Bernie Nicholls, Ron Stackhouse, Matt Duchene, Cody Hodgson and CFLer Mike Bradley.

According to council, information about donations for the murals will be available to the public in the coming weeks.

Councillor questions future of Haliburton arena

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Lisa Gervais

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June 24, 2021

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Dysart Coun. John Smith’s suggestion that Haliburton might not need an arena in future drew immediate retaliation from fellow councillor and former NHL hockey player, Walt McKechnie.

During a recent council meeting, there was a discussion about raising ice rental fees by three per cent in September 2021, and possibly three per cent in the fall of 2022.

Dysart’s recreation co-ordinator, Andrea Mueller, said the Highland Storm Minor Hockey Association, which had seen registrations decline and taken “a hit” during COVID, told council with a larger than three per cent increase, the Storm “might have to fold the organization.”

But Smith said he’d be reluctant to set a three per cent expectation for 2022.

“Maybe it will need to be more. The reality is that this arena costs a lot of money. And there’s very few people in our community that actually make use of it.”

He said one council objective is the assessment of a recreation complex after a private donation of land across from the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre.

“But maybe our future has a rec complex across the parking lot [from the township of Dysart offices] where the arena is currently located,”

Smith said “Maybe there won’t always be an arena.” Smith said Dysart et al is spending more than half-a-million dollars on the arena annually.

‘Outrageous’ to consider closing arena

“It is probably the only facility in town that costs that much money. And when you look at it on a per user basis, because again, registration is down, most of our community is never inside the hockey arena on the ice surface.”

Smith said it’s council’s responsibility to determine how taxpayers’ dollars are allocated and, “whether we’re putting it in the right place.”

He said ice rental fees had not increased since 2018 and if minor hockey and other users can only afford three per cent “our costs are going up more than that. That’s why the facility is costing us over half-a-million.” McKechnie instantly responded.

“To me, that statement is just the kiss of death to a community, if you get rid of the arena.”

He said young families are having a tough time during the pandemic and registering for hockey might not be a priority.

“They’re worried about putting food on the table. We’re going through a really tough time here with this pandemic.” He said to even be thinking about closing the arena is “outrageous. I definitely would 100 per cent not be in favour of that.”

Storm ‘not at risk of folding’

Highland Storm president, Amanda Manning, said the organization thought a three per cent increase was “fair.” However, larger increases would have a direct impact on the association’s bottom line and the cost of registrations, which could affect families’ abilities to sign up.

However, she said “I don’t think we’re at risk of folding.”

She conceded there had been a decrease in registrations over the years, but said it was “slight.” She added that COVID had impacted numbers since the winter of 2020. During COVID, she said they had about 200 players, down from about 250.

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association, of which the Storm is part, announced a first of its kind registration drive June 14, aimed at bringing kids back post-COVID.

“Hockey is as Canadian as maple syrup. It’s in our blood. We never had to market the game before to kids in Ontario. But we recognize it is no longer a given kids are going to play hockey,” OMHA executive director Ian Taylor said.

McKechnie said it might require a community effort to put the spark back into hockey, with himself and other former NHLers helping to market the sport.

“Whether they’re boys and girls, men’s leagues, ladies’ leagues, hockey is a great game. Haliburton’s got a great history here. It just breaks my heart to think that someone would even think about closing our arena.”

He said not many communities make money or break even on arenas. “It’s part of a service that brings people here.

“And that arena has had a lot of great times. Right now, it’s kind of in a bad state. I think a lot has to do with COVID. Hockey has gone down a bit in the last few years. I think that the great hockey players that have been here, Bernie (Nicholls) and Ron (Stackhouse) and Matt (Duchene) and Cody (Hodgson) and an old guy like me, we could do more to try to promote it, get people out playing again. It breaks my heart to think about even closing that arena.”

Haliburton County, with a permanent population of 18,000 people, has three arenas. In addition to the A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton, there is the newly-refurbished S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden. It will be home to the new Haliburton County Huskies. There is also the Keith Tallman Memorial Arena in Wilberforce.

Family loses home in June 22 fire

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Lisa Gervais

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June 23, 2021

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A family has lost its home in West Guilford following an early morning, June 22, fire.

Dysart et al fire chief, Mike Iles, said his department was paged out for the structure fire on Kennisis Lake Road at 7:28 am. Twenty firefighters and six fire trucks responded.

“Upon arrival, there was flame and smoke coming from the roof of a single storey house.” Iles said.

He said firefighters contained the fire and returned to the fire hall at 11:04 am.

Although the fire was quickly contained, the house and contents were extensively damaged, and there was smoke and water damage.

The occupants were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm and safely exited the building. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters.

The house will be a total loss of $300,000.

The fire is still under investigation.

“Once again. this is proof that smoke alarms save lives, please ensure that all smoke alarms are tested regularly and replaced once they expire,” Iles said.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been established to help the family.

It is under Help Gayle’s personal emergency fundraiser, and hopes to raise $25,000.

“My daughter’s family home burned this morning,” it reads. “The seven-year-old saved the four-year-old be escorting him quickly away from the fire area out the front door. My littlest hero … They also need a new place to live in Haliburton Highlands.”

Weekly artisans market returns to Minden

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Sam Gillett

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June 19, 2021

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By Sam Gillett

On Saturday June 19, creative makers displayed their goods for the first time this year at the Minden artisan’s market.

Returning and new vendors alike said they were excited to meet customers face to face once more: last year’s season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“It’s very nice, to see people,” said Elvina Kaplun, who’s sold wire and leather jewelry for three years at the market. “And to see my clients who’ve already come; my regular customers.”

For Andrea Draker, of Highlands Soy Candle Co., the first artisan market since 2019 was also the first time she’s been able to show off her selection of candles. She started her business in January, and until now, “everything has been online,” she said. “I was bored, I wanted to do something, and when everything opened up I was looking forward to markets and stuff like this.”

Despite the chance to chat with customers, the market looks different this year, with a capacity of 10 spaced-out vendors. “There will be COVID protocols in place like a defined entrance and exit, one-way travel through the market, social distancing etc.,” said Township of Minden Hills community development coordinator, Elisha Weiss, in a prior interview with The Highlander.

This year, artisans are located beside the farmer’s market as opposed to the previous downtown location.

Up and down the row of stalls, people chatted with vendors – many expressed excitement to be back at the market.

For vendors such as Katie Raftis and her daughter Olivia Rickard, the market was a chance to chase longstanding dreams. “I kind of funneled my creative energy into making stuff for the market,” Raftis said, explaining how COVID-19 meant a pause on her event planning career.

She developed her skill in creating resin art while her daughter crafted painted wooden decorations and ornaments including paddle-shaped coat racks. On Saturday, they displayed their creations for the first time.

“For years I’ve attended and bought from the market, and kind of hoped and dreamed of doing it,” Raftis said. “With all the extra time on my hands, I had to do something!”

The market will run each Saturday until Thanksgiving weekend, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

With files from Lisa Gervais

Bradley brought the Grey Cup home

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Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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Former Canadian Football League (CFL) player Mike Bradley said it’s “a big honour” to be named to the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame.

In an interview, he said Haliburton is special to him.

“The people and the community as a whole have played such a big part in my success athletically and who I am today,” the sergeant with the Durham Regional Police added.

The Hall of Fame committee said Bradley’s road to becoming a two-time Grey Cup Champion is inspirational.

“He overcame the perception that he was too small (at 5’8) for football with strength, speed, dedication and a big heart,” they said.

He played for the Red Hawks where he set virtually every school record, including a 379-yard rushing game and a 110-yard punt return in 1995.

At the University of Waterloo, Bradley was starting tailback, earned league MVP, was a finalist for the Hec Creighton Award, and led the Warriors to the Yates Cup. His university football career included school records of 3,773 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns. He won First Team All Canadian twice and was inducted into the university’s hall of fame.

In 2002, he was signed as a free-agent by the then Edmonton Eskimos (the team has been renamed the Edmonton Elks), and given a last-minute invitation to their training camp. He became a fan favourite in Edmonton. In six years with the CFL, Bradley played in two victorious Grey Cup games, 2003 and 2005. He was especially proud to bring the Grey Cup home to Haliburton County, sharing it with friends, family and fans, the hall committee said.

He retired in 2008.

“Initially, I don’t think I even realized how fortunate I was to play in two Grey Cups in my first two seasons, and then return to another Grey Cup later in my career,” Bradley said. “Our Grey Cup win in 2003 was the first championship I’d ever won at any level, in any sport, so it will always be the one I cherish the most and have the fondest memories of.

“Returning to Haliburton with the Grey Cup for a few days was a must for me. It gave me a chance to celebrate the victory with so many of the people that helped get me there, and have them be a part of it.”

Bradley and his family now live in the Oshawa area but have a cottage on Koshlong Lake.

The police officer said there are many similarities between football and policing.

“In policing, we work 12-hour-plus shifts most days, so sometimes it seems like we spend more time with our co-workers than we do our family. The same can be said for football or any high-level sport really. During the season, the time constraints are enormous and not overly family-oriented. So, both in sport and policing, you need an extremely understanding and supportive family to be successful.”

He added there are also highs and lows.

“Both are careers that until you actually play the game or do the job you will never fully understand. In both careers, you do things that most people are not willing to do. You rely heavily on your teammates/ platoon mates for support.

“You quickly realize that the more effectively you work with your teammates / platoon mates the more successful as a whole you will be. We may measure success differently in football such as in wins and losses, where in policing we measure success based on community safety and coming home safely to our families. Regardless, in both venues you tend to be only as good as the person next to you. But both have a sense of camaraderie that unless you are a part of it, you won’t understand it.”

Report hopes to advance shoreline debate

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Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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Watersheds Canada has released a report addressing barriers municipal officials and cottage associations cite in addressing shoreline sustainability.

The environmental organization released “The Future of Our Shores” last month. The report outlines responses from three different stakeholder surveys involving more than 160 people, including planners, lake associations and municipal representatives. Interview subjects – including those from Haliburton County – answered questions on what they saw as the largest issues in implementing environmental protections of shorelines.

The study found a lack of education, effective policies, and development pressures as problems. Haliburton’s The Land Between founder Leora Berman – who worked on the report’s steering committee – said the information applies locally, including to the heated debate around a proposed shoreline bylaw.

“I see what happened in Haliburton as a major breakdown in communication, and I’m hoping that this information could actually quell some of the fires,” Berman said. “The relationships in this municipality need to be healed.”

Haliburton County’s proposed shoreline bylaw, which would restrict development within 30 metres of shorelines, has been hotly contested. The County opted to delay it and has a consulting firm take over the process.

The report included interviews with more than 50 lake associations, 23 planners and 44 politicians. The lake associations identified “a lack of education, understanding, or awareness” and “unsustainable attitudes and practices” most often as the biggest hurdles towards lake stewardship. Seventy-four per cent identified property owners as having insufficient understanding, while 57 per cent said they had unsustainable attitudes.

Municipal officials identified a lack of financial resources and competing interests as the largest barriers to shoreline stewardship. Whereas many municipal officials felt economic and environmental interests were equal in land-use decisions (42 per cent), 56 per cent of planners felt municipalities were favouring economic interests.

Watersheds Canada executive director Barbara King said she hopes the information might advance the conversation.

“Everybody cares about the health of our lakes,” King said. “What we’re finding is a huge disconnect between people’s values and their actions.”

The survey offered some ideas such as a “shoreland network” where stakeholders share ideas and experience, with 83 per cent of municipal representatives indicating that would be “very useful” or “somewhat useful.”

King said the organization hopes to create a web portal to facilitate such a concept. She added seasonal residents are sold a vision of cottage life that needs adjusting.

“That pristine kind of environment, where they have grass to the water’s edge … without a weed in sight,” King said. “We need imagery around natural is beautiful.”

Berman said there can be a compromise between creating naturalized shorelines and carefully landscaped ones.

“There are subtle nuances in this municipality now that need to be ironed out,” Berman said. “What we’re doing is providing the science and the skills. But healing the relationships is still going to be up to the people in the community.”

Youth encouraged to get vaccinated

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Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging people aged 12 to 17 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during June.

Based on the province’s schedule for second doses, youth vaccinated this month will be eligible to receive their second dose in August, ensuring they are fully vaccinated when school resumes in September, the health unit said on June 11.

“While it’s important for people of all ages to be vaccinated against COVID-19, we want to ensure that our young people are fully protected before heading back to class in the fall,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit.

Youth are encouraged to book an appointment at any of the health unit’s immunization clinics. Appointments must be booked through the provincial booking system. Some local pharmacies may also provide youth vaccinations and should be contacted directly to book appointments. As well, primary health care providers may also offer vaccinations to their younger patients and their families.

Assessment centre COVID update

The positive rate for COVID-19 continues to trend downwards in Haliburton County, however 100 per cent of positive cases are now for variants of concern (VOC).

The latest report, issued June 9, found the positivity rate for the period May 17-28 was 1.29 per cent. That is down from the May 3-14 rate of 5.31 per cent. The number of average tests completed each week was also down to just 78.

“Although the overall number of COVID19 positive cases are declining, it is critical that public health measures continue to be followed in order to help prevent further spread of the virus and the VOCs, particularly as the province moves ahead with its roadmap to reopen plan. These measures include frequent handwashing, wearing a face mask in public spaces, and maintaining physical distancing,” the report said.

They also stressed the need for people in the community to get vaccinated.

Patient records improved

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), along with six other hospital organizations representing 14 hospitals in Ontario’s central east region, are partnering to deliver a new, digital clinical information system (CIS), HHHS said in a news release.

“For the first time in central east Ontario, patients and their entire care team will have real-time access to each patient’s health information in one place,” said Carolyn Plummer, HHHS President and CEO.

She added the CIS “will dramatically improve the ways patients and health professionals communicate with each other, supporting them to make the best possible decisions about each individual’s treatment and care.”

The seven partner hospital organizations participating in this major health care initiative are: Campbellford Memorial Hospital, HHHS, Lakeridge Health, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Ross Memorial Hospital and Scarborough Health Network.

“This unprecedented partnership will substantially improve the patient experience by supporting patients throughout their transitions between organizations and services,” added Plummer. “This is of tremendous value for a small rural health care provider such as HHHS with so many patients receiving care provided by our regional partners.”

She said another feature is patient access to a user-friendly and secure portal called MyChart to view their health information and upcoming appointments