Businesses open doors as restrictions eased

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May 11, 2020

JQ - Businesses reopening - 2-web — Baked and Battered is re-opening its doors as the province begins the process of economic recovery. File photo.

Local businesses are re-opening, welcoming the province beginning to ease COVID-19related restrictions.

The Government of Ontario allowed some businesses and industries to reopen starting May 4, as long as they comply with public health measures. The list included garden centres, landscaping, car washes and auto dealerships. Other sectors impacted included construction, marinas and golf courses.

The province further announced May 6 that retailers with street entrances would be able to open for pickup and delivery starting May 11. Garden centres will be able to open for in-store purchases May 8. Hardware and safety supply stores can also open for in-store purchases May 9.

The Haliburton County Home Builders Association said in a release it’s glad to see the province easing its restrictions and expanding its scope of essential construction projects to include site preparation, excavation and servicing for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development.

“Building new homes and communities is a long, complicated process and requires different construction activities over a number of seasons” HCHBA president Keith Thomas said. “Losing the entire construction season for site servicing would set our local housing supply back and risk the homes that our clients are looking to move into next year. Under the new provincial guidelines, we will continue to deliver homes safely today and in the future.”

Marinas also welcomed the news that they could begin preparations for the boating season by servicing watercraft and placing them in the water, though buildings remain closed to the public. Boating Ontario had requested eased restrictions in a release April 24. Ann Gordon co-owns Haliburton RPM and they had advocated getting doors open for staff to prepare for the season.

“It’s going to take us four-to-six weeks to get the boats ready before they can even go off. It made good sense to open the marinas,” Gordon said. “When it does open up and cottagers are allowed to come up, the boats are ready.”

The province released its framework April 27 to begin mass reopening. It proposed businesses to start reopening in phases, based on several criteria, including a two to four week decline in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases.

Although the plan has not started rolling out, other businesses are taking it as a sign to start re-opening. Gordon’s other business, the Kozy Korner restaurant, is also opening again after being closed since March. Although restaurants have been allowed to stay open for takeout throughout the pandemic, Gordon said the province’s moves influenced her decision to open the restaurant’s doors again.

“I just think people are getting more comfortable with what they can do and what they can’t do and they’re not totally in their houses anymore,” Gordon said.

Gordon said she feels safe running businesses right now, with measures such as social distancing and limited entry in place. However, she added she has concerns with another spike of COVID-19 cases occurring as the economy opens.

“But you’ve got to live with what you’ve got to live with,” she said.

Dogs that attacked girl put down

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Lisa Gervais

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May 11, 2020

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JQ - Dog attack update - 1 - webs — The dogs that severely injured Sadie Lester were euthanized at the request of their owners. Photo via GoFundMe.

The dogs that attacked and severely injured a young girl and her mother in Dysart et al have been put down.

Haliburton Highlands OPP said May 1 the two Saint Bernards were euthanized at the request of their owners. Police said the dogs had attacked a six-year-old and her mother April 12 when they were walking near their home in Dysart et al. Police said their investigation is concluded, with no charges in the case.

“Our investigators did take it to the Crown Attorney and examined all the circumstances around it,” Sgt. Jason Folz said. “They didn’t feel at this time that there were offences under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act.”

The act does state a dog owner shall take reasonable precautions to prevent it from biting or attacking a person. A dog owner also has civil liability for damages resulting from a bite or attack. But the euthanization of the dogs may have played a factor in the case, Folz said.

“I feel the voluntary destruction of those dogs … assisted in making determinations on whether those charges were continued to be examined,” Folz said. “It was a traumatic incident; I’m assuming for everyone involved. Certainly, the young girl and the mother, but probably the owners of the dogs.”

The girl who was severely injured is Sadie Lester, who is still recovering. The community has supported the family, with a GoFundMe raising more than $40,000 as of May 5.

In a May 2 update, her father AJ Lester said there have been ups and downs for the family. “Emotional drain and strain have been hard,” Lester said. “Waiting to see if nerves will regrow, to see if the scars become healed enough that there are no longer any open areas. Just helping to try to make life as normal as possible for Sadie.”

In an earlier update, Lester discussed the family’s feelings about the attack.

“Don’t get me wrong, we are upset, frustrated and angry. But I want those who are watching to know we don’t have hate in us right now,” he said.

Why in-person meetings are best

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Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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I’ve now watched two council meetings that were done via Zoom, and shown on YouTube. Both were last week and both involved the Township of Minden Hills.

The first one was a special council meeting April 28. It was called to essentially sanction the use of virtual meetings, and quorum, going forward. It lasted less than 10 minutes with the council then going into closed session.

The second meeting, April 30, was a regular council meeting. It was a follow up to a committee of the whole meeting that had been held back in March. It was longer than the first meeting but still not lengthy. There were no delegations. However, a couple of staff members, public works director Travis Wilson, and planner Ian Clendening, did make appearances to discuss reports in their portfolios and on the agenda. After about an hour, the council again went behind closed doors.

The County’s library board was the first municipal board to kick off virtual meetings. By the end of next week week, all five tiers of government will have had a crack at it.

My thoughts?

It is nice to see the councils meeting again, and taking back some of their delegated authority. It allows members of the press, and the public, to know more about what is going on when it comes to the day-to-day running of local municipalities.

I applaud the work of the County’s IT department, and municipal clerks in particular, for helping to get the technology up and running.

For the most part, I think it is going well. I have not noticed any major glitches, other than a few councillors forgetting to unmute microphones or turn on video.

As a reporter, it is actually convenient to tune into the meetings from home. There is no driving time. It is also quite easy to make audio recordings of the meetings to play back for more accurate reporting.

ever, I do prefer going to council meetings in person for a number of reasons. When in council chambers, you get a much better feel for a meeting. For example, you can read a councillors’ body language. You can pick up on side comments. Often, some of the best story tips come when chatting informally with the councillors, or staff, at the coffee station outside of the chambers.

It is also easier to clarify things on-the-spot and in-person, rather than chasing councillors and staff after-the-fact. This is the same for delegations to council. There have not been any at the meetings I have covered. However, it is much easier to follow them outside after they make their presentations than trying to do so after they have virtually pled their case.

And, finally, the press is given an opportunity to ask questions at the end of council meetings, as long as the queries are pertinent to something that has been on the meeting agenda. While we don’t always ask questions, the point is that we can.

So, while I am happy to attend some Zoom meetings for now – and delighted to have something to write about other than COVID-19 – I look forward to a return to business as usual and once again making my way to the County’s council meetings.

Paramedic chief worked front lines of SARS, managed Ebola

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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Supporting frontline paramedics during COVID-19 keeps Jo-Ann Hendry more than busy these days. One of two deputy chiefs with the Haliburton County Paramedic Service, Hendry’s job is to provide ongoing information and education to paramedics.

In relation to COVID-19, she said their focus has been on putting on, wearing, and taking off proper personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as standards and regulations that are continually changing. She is also participating on multiple task forces, committees and organizing of the assessment centre.

“The current most important role through this pandemic is to protect and support our frontline paramedics,” she said.

It isn’t completely new territory for her as she was an on-road paramedic during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. She also had a managerial position during the ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in 2014.

Hendry said COVID-19 had changed a lot of things for frontline paramedics.

“They have gone from a fast-paced, critical thinking, decision-making, treatment-based working diagnosis to our focus being shifted to assessing a patient from a distance in full PPE to mitigate and manage the COVID-19 risk. Our paramedics continue to provide service for the sick and injured during a time of increased risk of communicable disease transmission,” she said.

She had a number of thanks you’s, including: The County of Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team and the physicians in Haliburton and Minden, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network, OPP, municipal fire departments, and the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

“I would also like to thank the rest of the HCPS management team, our executive assistant, community paramedic and staff of paramedics for their dedication and continuing efforts to battle this invisible threat. Haliburton County residents, and in time, our visitors, can be confident in the quality of care they will receive.”

Doctor part of ‘quite inspiring puzzle’

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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Dr. Judy Suke isn’t one for tooting her own horn. In fact, she said she finds its awkward to talk about herself. However, Dr Suke helped create, and is helping to run, the COVID assessment centre that continues to operate on the grounds of the Haliburton Family Medical Centre (HFMC).

“I am just one small piece of a much bigger, quite inspiring puzzle,” Dr. Suke told The Highlander recently.

She was referring to what she calls the “inspiring collaboration between our HFMC office, led by our COVID hero and office manager Kim Robinson, Dr. Scott Coles, along with many other COVID heroes, including daily EMS involvement led by Jo-Ann Hendry, support from the local hospital, roads and fire departments.”

She said all of these community partners contribute in key ways and the centre wouldn’t exist without them. Dr. Suke added that the day-to-day operations of the assessment centre rely on staff from all of the teams she’s mentioned, along with dedicated HFMC staff who “care and counsel patients in our assessment centre tent.”

She said their physician assistant, Kevin Penney, along with nursing staff, are at the frontline of the effort, along with nurses inside the office that field calls to triage, and or, make assessment centre bookings and help with all the follow-up calls and counselling. She said administration keeps it all rolling smoothly.

“I have never doubted how lucky I am to work with such an amazing group of people. All of our staff have stepped up with ideas, contributions and creativity to help.”

She had accolades for physician colleagues, such as Dr. Steve Ferracutti, for his leadership in educating hospital staff around care of COVID patients, while training them around policies and procedures that ensure staff and community safety.

She said Haliburton Highlands Health Services chief of staff, Dr. Keith Hay has been a guide and excellent leader; Dr. Kristy Gammon and Dr. Tina Stephenson key “and honestly every single physician. nurse and administrator that is a part of our HHHS and HFMC team.

“Members of our medical community are working hard at many levels to contribute not just to pandemic care, but evolving primary care models and needs. COVID heroes are everywhere you look right now amongst your medical community and beyond, which says a lot about our community.”

As for the public, she lauded them for playing their part in the physical distancing measures which are essential in keeping our population healthy during this difficult time.

“Physical distancing and COVID stress are hard. You all are COVID heroes.”

Lee Gauthier has headed home

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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Kelly Gauthier called her aunt Lee ‘Aunty Oz’ because of their shared love of the movie, The Wizard of Oz.

“It was our favourite movie,” Kelly said. “There’s no place like home … and Lee was my home, so I referred to her as Aunty Oz.”

Lee Gauthier, who died peacefully via medical assistance in dying (MAID) April 30, is being fondly remembered by friends, family and colleagues.

Kelly said she and Lee had a special bond. She said she grew up in a dysfunctional home but was too young to know that. However, Lee did, and would pick her up every other weekend and whisk her to the cottage on Kushog Lake.

“She was instrumental in my childhood in terms of getting me away, and showing me ways of expressing myself.”

While young Kelly did odd jobs, such as taking snow off the roof in winter or raking leaves, she was encouraged to do art. She went on to become an art and photo therapist. As she grew into her teens and adulthood, Kelly said Lee was always home for her, no matter where she went. And she said other family members felt the same way.

“She was just my north, south, east and west. She probably was a compass for me, or maybe she was a healing spot for a lot of people in the family. She shared a friendship with some of us. She was more like a mom for others. She never hesitated to be there for someone. Her home was just a place where you felt comfortable and welcome.”

Kelly said when Lee told her she had cancer and didn’t know how much time she had left, but was not going to do chemotherapy, “she said ‘I’ve lived a great life. It’s my time’. She was so comfortable with her decision.”

Kelly and Lee’s friend Darlene Brown were with her at the time she passed “and her decision never wavered. She was at ease the whole time, reminiscing about old times. We laughed and cried. She also made sure to let us know how deeply we were loved and made eye contact the whole time as if to take that image of us with her. She passed peacefully.”

Friend Brenda Peddigrew said Lee told people she was going to be reincarnated as an owl so she isn’t surprised that she, and others, have been seeing owls, or symbols of owls, since Lee passed away.

“Lee told most of us she’s coming back as an owl. She loved owls. She told us ‘just look out for owls’. Since she’s been gone, the number of owl sightings, I’ve had three this morning,” Brenda said in an interview May 4.

Peddigrew had known Lee for more than 20 years, part of three groups with the well-known local realtor: the Outloud Womyn’s Voices, the Algonquin Highlands Writers Circle and the Soul Sisters group.

“Lee was a very significant, visible member of so many communities in our area. It is a huge loss. We all feel it. And we are kind of still on the edge of shock,” Brenda said.

But she said Lee “was completely at peace. She had all of her affairs in order.”

Peddigrew last saw her on April 24. She said Lee had thought of everything, charities to give to, new homes for her cats, where to donate her movies.

She said once people learned of Lee’s plans, they were able to reach out by phone and email. And, on Tuesday, April 28, a procession of people in vehicles did an organized drive by for Lee, who stood in her driveway, farewelling them all.

Peddigrew said she would remember her friend for her love of art, writing and travel. She said Lee was a global person in many ways.

“It was part of her essence. She had a very big mind, and a heart that was capable of going to another country and absorbing their culture. Lee travelled for adventure. It symbolized her life and her being expanded when she went to these countries, not just to see what was there.”

She said they’ve also leaned new things about her, such as Lee’s ongoing support of the Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary.

“What she brought, besides her generosity, was her interest in so many different things.

Peddigrew added her friend wasn’t an angel. “She also had a stubbornness and feistiness I think contributed to everything else. She had a quick temper and could go off like a firecracker, and then come back and apologize. She was totally human and knew it.”

Century 21 Granite Realty Group’s Andrew Hodgson said he’d worked with Lee for 14 years.

“First and foremost, she was a dear friend and a wonderful person,” he said.

He added that she was a “great realtor, loved being a realtor, for over 33 years in Haliburton. She insisted on dying as a realtor.” She was fully licenced at the time of her passing. “She was professional to the highest degree. Top notch.”

He added she had a true affinity for Kushog Lake out of her Carnarvon office. He estimates that during her career she would have served close to 1,000 clients, and had an amazing referral network and dedicated repeat customers.

“Lee was proud to be a realtor, proud to be part of our team. I loved working with her. She knew her stuff, she knew her cottagers, her area. She understood her buyers. I used to make jokes, ‘that listing’s a Lee special’.”

Minden Pride also honoured Lee on their Facebook page.

“It is with sadness that we learned of the passing yesterday of friend of Minden Pride, Lee Gauthier. Some referred to Lee as the founder of the lesbian community in Haliburton. Our sincere condolences to Lee’s friends and family.”

Minden to tender major projects despite COVID

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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Minden Hills council voted to proceed with tendering some major projects, including reconstructing IGA Road, when it met April 30.

Director of public works, Travis Wilson, was looking for direction amidst COVID19. “In regards to the continuation of construction with the current restrictions from the province in regards to critical infrastructure,” he said in a report. He also wanted to know how council felt about existing contracts, and if the municipality would consider compensation to contractors should their operations require substantially more money to complete.

The 2020 budget has several rehabilitation, preventative maintenance, and maintenance and construction projects. They include: roads’ resurfacing, the Sunnybrook Bridge, Milburn, Bobcaygeon, IGA and Shetland roads, the Salerno Lake bridge, Scotch Line slopes and closing the Irondale waste disposal site.

Wilson said a number of projects can easily be justified as critical and essential, including resurfacing, Sunnybrook and Salerno Lake Road bridges, Scotch Line slopes and Irondale closure. However, he felt others, such as reconstruction of IGA and Bobcaygeon roads, Shetland Road drainage and Milburn Road bridge, cannot be justified as critical and essential.

“(IGA) Road has been in poor shape for at least 15 years. One additional year will not make this road in any worse condition. The reconstruction will require storm sewer work, which will require close proximity of staff,” he said.

The current direction from the province would classify all of these projects as essential and critical, Wilson said, however, he said the township should be cognizant of the potential risk and health impacts of allowing, and in this case, promoting gatherings of contractors within the municipality.

But Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell said, “Yes, (some roads) have been that way for a long time but I still consider them critical. IGA Road may have looked the way it does for many years but that doesn’t make it any less worthy to be fixed.” She went on to say the township has budgeted for these projects in 2020, understanding they may cost more now depending on COVID-19.

“My recommendation would be that we move forward and we put the tenders out and if they come in astronomically different than we thought they should have been, we don’t have to accept them at this time. But, I’d like to see the current projects for 2020 all move forward and if grant money comes forward in the fall or later, even possibly for next year, that we look at projects we haven’t been able to do due to funding or money in Travis’s department.”

Coun. Bob Carter said as much as he agreed with Schell about trying to get ahead with roads, “at the same time, I think of things such as the Sunnybrook bridge … if it hasn’t been tendered and if there is the possibility of infrastructure money coming, it would seem that it might be a good thing to try to take advantage of that infrastructure money.”

In a recorded vote, the motion passed 5-2. Carter and Coun. Pam Sayne voted against. (Sayne wants work on the Shetland Road drainage done sooner, rather than later). Mayor Brent Devolin, Schell, and Councillors Jennifer Hughey, Jean Neville and Ron Nesbitt voted in favour.

County mayors okay with return of cottagers

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 7, 2020

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County mayors and the warden say it’s okay for cottagers to come to Haliburton County for the Victoria Day long weekend, as long as they’re responsible.

Premier Doug Ford said this week that backed by encouraging trends on COVID-19 testing, cottagers could be enjoying the May long weekend by the lake. He also said he would consult with cottage country mayors.

Minden Hills Mayor Brent Devolin and Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt said municipalities have no authority or laws to tell people they can’t come to their cottages.

Devolin added if people are social distancing and responsible “it isn’t a huge deal where people are. “There was some initial reaction in grocery stores by people coming and buying all of the toilet paper in sight but that seems to have abated. I’m not saying that I’m not worried, but I am less worried than a few weeks ago … but I still have concerns about more people with relatively limited health facilities and the challenges that could present, although it hasn’t yet.”

Moffatt agreed, saying small communities have legitimate concerns about medical, emergency and community resources, and Haliburton County is “a highly vulnerable community.”

But Devolin said if COVID-19 were to spike, the premier would quickly adjust his thinking.

Moffatt said many seasonal people have chosen to stay away, but many are already here, and many more are planning to come. She added she’s seen good and bad behaviour on all sides, “so let’s stop the finger-pointing. The virus could hitch a ride with seasonal folks just as easily as with the myriad daily deliveries coming into the County, or with those who are still going in and out of the County to Walmart and Costco. It’s the unnecessary moving in and out of the County that needs to stop.”

She advised people going to the cottage to “stay there, and fully understand what can and can’t be done here right now. Things are closed and cancelled, and some store shelves are persistently empty. These are very trying times and we’re all inconvenienced.”

She said all residents need to be informed and respect the moving pieces behind local decision-making. She said, ultimately, public health recommendations must be upheld.

“This isn’t about rights. It’s about doing the right thing – by everyone and for everyone.”

Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts said many seasonal residents are already here, and more will come for the May long weekend.

“Cottagers own property here and there is nothing telling them they can’t come. I’m sure if people come to their cottage, they will be respectful of the same rules around COVID-19 as they have at their primary residence.”

Highlands East Mayor Dave Burton said the message his township would like to get out is that “we are all in this together. Please follow the rules, maintain physical distancing, do not gather in groups, stay at home if you are sick, no campfires, be prepared and everyone be respectful.”

County Warden Liz Danielsen said that throughout the pandemic, she’s been vocal in saying seasonal and permanent residents have equal rights, and understands why cottagers might want to come, feeling safer. She added they’re welcome as long as they follow guidelines and understand and respect our health system’s fragility.

“They are the driving force of our economy, and, as they pay taxes year-round like we all do, we should be hard-pressed to say that they aren’t welcome. I would urge everyone, regardless of our desire to get our economy back on track, to remember that we are not out of the woods yet and must all remain vigilant to avoid further spread or another outbreak of the virus.”

(With files from Joseph Quigley)

Community grieves beloved local potter

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2020

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JQ - Rickie Woods - 2-web — Rickie Woods showcases her work to grandchildren Mason and Jack. Photo submitted by Katie Woods.

As beloved local artist Henrietta Marie “Rickie” Woods passed on from this world, hundreds paid their respects from a distance.

A founding member of the Studio Tour Haliburton Highlands, Woods passed away from cancer April 15. After she chose medical assistance in dying (MAID), her friends in the community paid tribute to her on social media as she passed, with music, painting, toasts and grieving together – apart.

Friend and colleague Mary Wallace made a painting in the moment, depicting Woods sailing into the horizon on a canoe, posted with the message, “farewell, my friend. Go gently into that good night.”

“She was loved,” Wallace said of why so many joined in what she termed an “online wake.” “For her no-nonsense, no-frills, truly authentic generosity and practicality.”

Woods lived in Haliburton for decades as a potter, attracting people with her wares for 30-years on the studio tour.

“She worked hard; she produced a lot. Her pottery wasn’t just a hobby,” Debbie Wales, another friend and colleague, said. “She was making her living and she just wanted to be the best potter she could be.”

Woods left her mark as a founding member of the tour, also serving on the executive for many years. Wallace said Haliburton’s was one of the first and most celebrated tours in the province. It was there Woods made many friends and acquaintances. Wallace said people would love to visit her studio.

“She was really a pioneer in the studio tour movement,” Wallace said. “Treated everybody like family. People would come back night and day to her house in the Blairhampton triangle. Just because you were always welcome.”

“She was an excellent cheerleader,” Wales said. “Her favourite thing to say is, ‘we have to put on the best show we can and go all out.’ It wasn’t just open your studio and hope some people come. You have to make people feel welcome.”

But though she had a tremendous love of her craft, daughter Katie Woods said her family came first. Alongside husband Timothy, she raised four children. Woods said she maintained a close bond with all her kids.

“She was very involved in our lives. She was the mom who went on school trips,” Woods said, adding she remained close even after her children left the nest. “She would drive hours to pick us up if we needed to come home for the weekend.”

She is also survived by four grandchildren, which the family said would fondly remember her as “grand-smother.”

After her husband passed due to cancer in 2015, Woods decided to leave the Haliburton Highlands and head to Lisle two years later, to live in a home on her daughter’s farm. She worked to make a new studio while being a fixture in the life of her daughter and grandchildren.

“She loved people and she absolutely adored her life in Haliburton and did miss it,” Woods said. “She loved her life here too.”

But though Woods was a “picture of health” earlier this year according to her daughter, her condition suddenly took a turn for the worse in March. Her health deteriorated quickly until she was eventually diagnosed with cancer, with a bleak prognosis of three months with treatment, four-to-six weeks without.

After going through a difficult process when her husband contracted cancer, the potter opted for MAID. Katie Woods said the family completely supported the decision.

“There’s no nice way to say goodbye to your parent when you love them as much as we loved mum and dad, but watching somebody suffer is hell,” Woods said. “In the grand scheme of things, her pain was minimal, and mum was 100 per cent at peace with her decision.”

“It’s so quintessentially Rickie,” Wallace said. “It takes a lot of guts to go gently into the night.”

With the decision made, Woods said her mother had time to focus on contacting her friends and family to say farewell. The messages came pouring in and Woods read and listened to them in her final days. The family has put off a celebration of life, until “after Rickie fulfills her promise to get rid of this COVID crap for us,” her obituary said.

But those who loved her still found a chance to grieve together virtually as she passed.

“Grief is a strange thing in that we need others to share it with,” Wales said. “In this crazy world of self-isolation that we find ourselves in right now, it was strangely comforting to be connected virtually.”

“She just kept saying over and over again that she felt so loved,” Woods said. “She left this Earth surrounded by that and there’s no way for our family to ever, ever explain how grateful we were that that’s what she was given before she died.”

Horsing around helps pandemic mental health

By

Lisa Gervais

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May 6, 2020

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JQ - Walkabout Farm - 1-web — Joel McWhirter visited Walkabout Farm April 26. The farm reopened on a limited capacity to provide mental health services. See the full story on page 18. Photo by Joseph Quigley

Those who find horses help their mental health will be galloping to the Walkabout Farm Therapeutic Riding Association after it obtained an exemption on April 21 to partially open.

The Minden-based not-for-profit, which offers several programs including for children with special needs, had closed March 15 after getting deemed nonessential. But the association worked to get an exemption for its mental health support services, allowing limited numbers to visit and work with the horses.

Owner and operator Jennifer Semach said it was fortunate. Although they had been offering some remote support to clients, without direct programming, they were in danger of closing due to lost funding.

“We were definitely at risk of having to close permanently because, of course, the horses, whether we’re open or not, required $1,500 to $2,500 to support their care,” she said, adding dozens, if not hundreds, of families would feel the loss of the location.

Families access different government funding streams to use Walkabout’s programming, Semach said. But with direct services suspended during the crisis, that funding was effectively frozen for it and other special needs programs.

“It definitely made me feel like there was a certain demographic that was being unsupported by our government,” Semach said. “We can’t pause that type of support that people with special needs have … You can’t do that to them when they rely on certain services for their quality of life and care.”

Semach said Walkabout fell into a grey area in the province’s restrictions. After a complicated process, she was able to get the exemption, adding she received a lot of support from Haliburton-Kawartha LakesBrock MPP Laurie Scott’s office.

The location is still closed to the general public and the number of people will be limited, with extra sanitation precautions, Semach said. Riding will also not be possible due to social distancing rules, but clients can still come to spend time with the horses.

One of them is Joel McWhirter, a 10-yearold from Huntsville who attends Walkabout regularly. His mother Lisa McWhirter said he has challenges with self-worth and finding his place and the farm has made a big difference.

“We’ve been going just since the fall and it was immediate for him how much, just being at the farm, made him feel happy and engaged,” McWhirter said. “He’s been able to very quickly establish a connection.”

McWhirter said she noticed a negative response from her son when he was no longer able to visit the farm, though Semach was keeping him engaged through online calling. “Ten minutes (after) he’s stepped on the farm, there is just some wonderful peace that comes to him,” McWhirter said. “There’s definitely been some positive and bright spots with the pandemic but for Joel, he really needs that connection physically.”

Semach said she anticipates helping between 25 to 30 families during the pandemic, though many more cannot attend as their needs make social distancing rules impossible.

“We’re hoping this won’t last much longer and we’re hoping we can help as many families as possible,” Semach said. “But it will be some time until we can help everybody.”