The Outsider: Retail therapy

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July 4, 2019

By Will Jones – The Outsider | July 4, 2019

Have you ever been to the Bass Pro Store or Cabelas?
Have you wandered down the miles of aisles of gleaming outdoors gear, jaw dropped in awe at the sheer amount of stuff that there is to buy? And if you have been to any of these stores or similarly gargantuan temples to hunting, fishing, boating and camping, did you come away with almost nothing in your shopping cart?

I have and I did. Whenever I go to Toronto, I get excited by a trip to Bass Pro but every time, when I get inside, I am so overwhelmed by the whole experience – from the 15 aisles of fishing lures to the stuffed mountain lion looking down upon me and the pool with live trout in it – that I panic. My initial glee at walking through the entrance, with those giant moose antler door handles, quickly gives way to nervous tension and downright panic as I wander lost among boating supplies and fishing equipment that I never even knew existed, never mind understand how to use. Eventually, to save face, I buy another ball cap, one of those giant barrels of Cheezies and a couple of bass flies, and then skedaddle, relieved to be outside again without having been swallowed up by the Bass Pro ‘experience’.

My trip to Bass Pro is always disappointing and I’m always a little annoyed that I didn’t handle it better, ‘this time’, but, as I drive away, I begin to form a plan. And that plan is always the same. I’ll go see Norm and Karen at Outdoors Plus.

You see, buying outdoors gear needs to feel good and for me that does not come from traipsing past miles of tackle, tents and targets forlornly hoping to bump into what I need. I’m the kind of guy who likes a chat and a chortle while shopping. I like the proprietor to be on hand to answer the myriad questions I still have about fishing and hunting. I like to be able to ask for a thingummy and know that my lopsided description of an as yet unnamed piece of equipment that I once saw a guy use on TV will be understood, gently poked fun at and then rewarded with said item being produced from within the Aladdin’s cave of treasures that are stocked at this small local store.

I like too that within the walls of their unassuming tackle shop, Norm and Karen seem to have everything, absolutely everything, just like Bass Pro but not at all like Bass Pro. Here, items don’t blur into a haze of unidentified colours as I walk the aisles, here they pop out like jewels on the rock wall of the cave owned by the aforementioned Aladdin. And if they are hidden too well for my roving eye, Norm or Karen will conjure them up just like Haliburton’s very own wish-granting genies.

It’s magic, the whole experience and so much more fun than that drive to the city. So, next time you think about that trip to the monster outdoors store, think again and shop local because the experience will be much more pleasing, and chortling Norm might even tell you the odd lewd joke, too.

Jack Brezina: Fishing for fun

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Jack Brezina

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July 4, 2019

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By Jack Brezina – Contributing Writer | July 4, 2019

There were few fish left undisturbed in the Gull River after the full-frontal attack mounted by children, 14 and under, assisted by their parents and grandparents, on this past Canada Day. The banks were lined with eager anglers early Monday morning, with all eyes focused on bobbers and the groaning prize table enticingly located next to the registration table.

Canada Day celebrations in Minden have become a huge community party, a popular place to spend the holiday, taking in the various attractions … all of them offered at no charge. And to boot, the sun shone on this year’s event … always a bonus.

After testing and considering a number of locations, my grandson, Anashe and I, settled on a not too crowded riverside shady patch along Water Street. We arrived shortly after the derby officially began at 8 a.m. but soon saw the banks on either side of us and across the river quickly fill in.

Of course, the fishing competitors were accompanied by enthusiastic parents and as in my case, grandparents. Lines flailed and crossed … rat’s nest tangles were unravelled with quiet epithets muttered sotto voce … more than a few lines were rescued from overhead branches while others were abandoned, the hooks irretrievably imbedded in the many logs that litter the river bottom.

When the entire length of the fishing contest area is taken into consideration, centuries of angling advice, for better or worse, was shared and brought to bear on the task at hand. Up and down the shores, cries of a successful catch would ring out to the delight of those who had snagged the fish, while the news hardened the determination of those with empty buckets to “fish harder.”

In many case the anglers arrived in extended family groups. It was great to see parents sharing the baiting and fish removal chores while older siblings and grandparents managed the smaller ones or hovered nearby with beverages and sunscreen.

The fish derby has long been a fixture of Minden’s Canada Day celebration. It was first called a “Rock Bass Derby.” The intent was to reduce the population of rock bass in the river to make space for small and largemouth bass and trout, game species that can make for a tasty meal. I am not sure if the plan succeeded, but the event has morphed into just a fishing derby with all species caught being weighed in the young anglers’ favour. Most of the catches were held in pails filled with river water and were tipped back into the Gull after their weight was tallied.

When the weigh-in was completed, the youngsters were called up to claim a prize, in order from the heaviest catch on down. Even those who were skunked took home a prize for their efforts, thanks to the generosity of many local sponsors.

It all made rising a little earlier than usual on July 1 worth every minute. My nineyear old-grandson has mastered the many skills he has learned from the decades of angling experience passed down through generations. He made his grandfather a proud booster when he caught a worthy specimen of the bass family and he gladly claimed his prize. Me? I already had mine.

Living Libations opens eco-friendly headquarters

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Lisa Gervais

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July 3, 2019

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JQLivingLibations3web.jpg.93da8194 — Joseph Quigley

After years of planning and construction, the organic health and beauty product company Living Libations officially opened its new, state-of-the-art headquarters in Haliburton June 20.

More than 50 people attended to celebrate the 22,000-square foot facility off Harburn Road. Builders designed it for low environmental impact and energy efficiency, meeting the Passive House Building Standard to consume only 10 per cent of the energy versus a conventional building of its size.

Founder Nadine Artemis said the Haliburton area enchanted her, causing her to move her business here 15 years ago.

She thanked the various people and builders involved in making the new headquarters happen.

“It really takes a village to build a building,” Artemis said. “We are in deep appreciation to the countless co-operative components that brought us all together and accomplished this vision.”

It took a years-long process to get here.

After a tragic fire burned down their home and business headquarters in 2013, they first came before Dysart et al council with their plans to construct the new headquarters in 2015.

The company also went through some controversy, earning Calico Road residents’ ire in 2017 due to increased traffic when they operated their business there temporarily.

But now the business is finally settled into its permanent home.

“A construction project of this size has intense moments, quick-decision making and thousands and thousands of microdetails,” Artemis said. “To have this process feel smooth and timely is a miracle.”

The four-storey structure is “flooded with natural sunlight,” according to a company press release.

High-performance energy recovery ventilators cycle fresh air through the building without affecting indoor temperature. The structure earned a newly-created award from Legalett Canada, who provided engineering, design and supply of the building’s foundation.

National sales manager Ken Williams presented the Construction Pioneer Award to Living Libations and project developer Greg West for the achievements in energy-efficient design.

“This project has, to say the least, been inspirational to us,” Williams said.

Artemis said she was thankful to the local community for their continued support.

“We are also in deep appreciation to the community of our clients and their love of libations. Your absolute adoration for our creations is really our continued inspiration,” she said.

Long-time army cadet officer steps down

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Lisa Gervais

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July 3, 2019

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JQCadetReview2web.jpg.115a9512 — Joseph Quigley

Retiring Capt. Dan Collings gave his cadets a proud salute as he bid farewell after 24 years of leading the 1129 Haliburton Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.

Collings formally stepped down from the role after the corps 34th annual cadet review June 15 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 129 Haliburton.

Organizations including the Army Cadet League of Canada gave him a series of service recognition certificates as he departed the 15-cadet unit.

He leaves with his cadets on top, as Haliburton won the 2017-18 Lord Strathcona Award for the best small corps. He praised them for their effort over the year.

“Without you folks, this couldn’t happen. Your dedication, your praise, your sense of teamwork and family is second to none,” Collings said.

It was a good time for him to leave, he said. He plans to work with the Canadian Rangers in northern Indigenous communities before he retires in three years.

“It’s time to go, pass the torch,” he said. “There’s great staff here that can take over and the corps is in a great place right now. We’re in the best place we’ve ever been.”

Regional Cadet Support Unit Major Gary Burns also presented Collings with a certificate and said he is amongst the top officers he has encountered.

“For these folks to be successful, there have to be adult leaders,” Burns said. “As the commanding officer, without him, there’s no direction. He is, in fact, the pinnacle of the organization here.”

The cadets showcased their skills at the review, marching, parading and taking part in a series of program demonstrations.

Master warrant officer Jakob Bull said it was a great year for the unit.

“There have been so many opportunities. Honestly, I think the number of things this core can do is limitless,” he said. But he added it was sad seeing Collings retire.

“He was amazing, he had everything perfect to a tee. He was a super relatable guy, really humble.”

Lt. Corina Hall is taking over as commanding officer for the unit. She said Collings has led the unit since she was a cadet and though there are big shoes to fill, she is excited to take on the position.

“I’ve also been able to come up behind him and learn a lot from him,” Hall said. “I’m looking forward to taking my turn to lead the corps.”

As Collings gave his corps one last salute, he talked about how he felt about them.

“You guys are like family, like my own kids. Some of you are children of some of the cadets who were here when I started, that’s just amazing,” Collings said. “I wish you all the best. Keep up the good work.”

Glecoff’s Family Store kicks V&S brand

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Lisa Gervais

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July 3, 2019

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Haliburton’s former V&S Department Store is giving itself a makeover with a new name: Glecoff’s Family Store.

The family announced the change June 19. The rebranding comes with new signage, logo and website.

Manager Clay Glecoff said the V&S brand has changed a lot over the years and has become a barrier for them to access some suppliers.

“We wanted a name that would shed the department store image and better reflect what we’re doing inside the store,” Glecoff said. “We felt there isn’t really an attachment to V&S by us, as well as our customers.”

The goal is to make the shop more of a destination, Glecoff added. The new name pays tribute to the Glecoff family. Owner Andy Glecoff, Clay’s father, purchased it in 1995.

He said the community support has enabled the business to last.

“This store wouldn’t be here without the support of the citizens and the customers,” Glecoff said. “We got a lot of people rooting for us. And they need us, they want us to be here.”

Dysart et al Coun. Nancy Wood-Roberts said she was thankful for the family’s dedication.

“I really appreciate the commitment you’ve made to our community and the many, many years of valued service,” she said, “It’s phenomenal.”

The store was up for sale four years ago, with Andy Glecoff planning to close if no buyer came forward.

At the time, he cited stagnant revenues and challenges with competitors. Clay Glecoff, who has worked at the store since it opened, said they worked to turn things around.

“I didn’t feel I was ready to give up on it. Rolled up my sleeves, went to work,” he said. “My wife and I and the staff here worked our tails off to get this store turned around, get us headed in the right direction.”

He added he is happy with the results of their effort. “I’ve done a lot of growing as a person,” he said.

“You can see what your rewards are for the efforts you put in. It changes your attitude and your outlook and things are really positive around here now. A lot of hope and excitement for the future.”

Youth earn $5,000 for Haliburton Heat Bank

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Lisa Gervais

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July 3, 2019

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JQYPIwinners2web.jpg.58ad468f — Joseph Quigley

Two Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) students earned $5,000 for Heat Bank Haliburton County through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Canada June 4.

Bence Suranyi and Stefan Salaris beat out their Grade 10 civics classmates with their presentation on the Heat Bank.

The school-wide competition is part of the YPI program, which runs similar charitable contests in schools around the world.

Suranyi said their presentation highlighted the success stories of the charity.

“The Haliburton Heat Bank is a less-known charity than the other ones that were competing,” Suranyi said. “I think that helped shed light on the Heat Bank.”

“The stories that (Heat Bank co-ordinator) Tina (Jackson) gave were probably really moving because sometimes they were really tragic,” Salaris added.

The YPI initiative has run at HHSS for 12 years. The program goes into the curriculum as a graded project for the school’s civics class. The project requires students to engage with charities in their community and share what they have learned in a presentation. The top-five projects compete in front of the school, with the winning group earning $5,000 for their charity.

The group has donated more than $50,000 to local charities since it started running in Haliburton. Teacher Paul Longo, who co-ordinates YPI at HHSS, said the program remains successful.

“It gets Grade 10 students out in the community, visiting charities, asking questions, learning about what we do in this community that’s so important as far as volunteer work,” Longo said.

Jackson said the charity, which provides firewood and heat to vulnerable people, has participated in projects for YPI before. But this is the first time the charity has won.

“I am just so proud of the work that both of these youth did, in pouring everything into the presentation that won us the money,” Jackson said. “This is one of the largest donations we’ll likely receive this year.“

They were absolutely passionate. They believed in what we were doing,” she added.

Salaris said to succeed in the competition, it is vital to choose a charity you care about. “Pick a charity you believe in, like and would stand for,” he said.

Lisa Gervais: Surveillance must be debated

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Lisa Gervais

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July 3, 2019

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The issue of town surveillance has resurfaced again in Dysart et al – in light of an ongoing murder investigation and graffiti at the Junction Park skate park.

The first incident occurred along Highland Street across from the Head Lake Park trail. The second was adjacent to the A.J. LaRue Arena.

At the last Dysart et al council meeting, Mayor Andrea Roberts commented on the use of security cameras in the village. She said the alleged murder on June 18 led to talks on the subject. She said the township didn’t have any CCTV footage police could use. She went on to say it sparked a conversation that security cameras are legal and allowed.

She noted it’s not like the township is putting the footage on the internet. It would be for township use only for security.

Apparently, there are two cameras in Head Lake Park which are not being used but the municipality is planning to turn them back on.

It was around about this time last year that there was talk about surveillance. Remember the break-in at Haliburton’s Lily Ann Thrift Store? No one was hurt and only a small amount of second-hand jewelry taken but vandals urinated and bled on clothes, and volunteers had to throw donated items out. They also smashed a window and left items on the ground.

At the end of last May, there was a significant break-in at The Source on Haliburton’s main street. More than $10,000 in goods and cash were taken.

Source owner Don van Nood made a call for cameras, saying it could be a Dysart et al and Haliburton BIA initiative.

Some stores have cameras, but they don’t provide a sweeping view that police would like to have access to.

The BIA has indicated that it might be too rich for their blood, so the decision will likely rest with Dysart et al council. Incidentally, the BIA was also worried about technical requirements and footage being subpoenaed.

That ‘big brother is watching you’ mentality is shared by others in Haliburton County.

After all, as The Globe and Mail reported last year, “when urban thinker Jane Jacobs talked about eyes on the street, she meant live, human eyes belonging to people walking around or sitting on their front steps.”

She was referring to streets with lots of people milling about, such as New York’s Greenwich Village or Toronto’s Annex.

But, as we all know, there isn’t a lot of foot traffic in Haliburton, Minden or Wilberforce in the evenings or overnight. People aren’t sitting on their porches late at night, either.

We would argue that some security cameras are necessary.

However, Dysart should do its homework to figure out what rules should govern their use. For example, in Toronto, the city’s own security cameras and those used by police include signs that tell passersby they are being filmed and why, and provide contact information for those with more questions.

Private businesses, too, are supposed to identify their own security cameras in a similar way, according to guidelines published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Also, under those federal rules, customers can ask a business for a copy of whatever personal information has been collected about them, including CCTV footage.

Police like them.

They made an arrest in the alleged murder here but footage could make their job easier. And, what if there’d been no arrest and a suspect was on the loose? They could have put out an image and caught said suspect.

However, research also shows the law enforcement and deterrent benefits of the cameras are overstated. And there are potential downsides, like privacy concerns.

Before making a final decision, Dysart et al needs to at least debate the technology and how it should be used.

The Outsider: The horrow of the howling

By

Will Jones

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July 3, 2019

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“I was woken by ‘the howling’ last night, whoa it was loud.” These were the words of a somewhat ornery colleague of mine one morning last week.

I pictured a pack of wolves serenading the bright moon in his backyard, or a band of wily coyotes yipping and laughing as they celebrated coming upon nearby road kill. But my sleep deprived friend meant other deadly denizens of the dark.

“Millions of them, that’s what it sounded like, clamouring to get in. And that noise, the incessant high-pitched scream. Oh, it was bloodthirsty.” He’s grinning now, knowing that his description is somewhat exaggerated but we get his drift. His ‘howling’ is the sound of hordes of mosquitoes buzzing at the bug screen of his open bedroom window, their aggravating individual whining reaching a crescendo as more and more insects join the fray.

And that got me thinking, why is it that mosquitoes make that noise? Even a single one in your bedroom will wake you as it searches for a tasty spot for dinner.

The sound is intensely annoying in the middle of the night, or anytime for that matter but imagine if there were no sound – mosquitoes in stealth mode – and these vampiric villains could fly in and attack with no warning whatsoever. It seems to me that the mosquito’s buzz is its Achilles heel, if a bug can have a heel, the one thing that gives us a chance, affords us a modicum of warning before the strike.

Then, as my mind fell further into this rabbit hole of useless thought, I began to see a pattern. Blackflies, hate em’. Clouds of the tiny blighters swarm you and it should be a bloodbath but they don’t bite immediately, instead landing and then wandering around for a while to find a nice secluded spot to dine. That’s your chance to squish them but don’t take too long or they’ll be in your hairline, under your shirt cuff and munching.

Deer and horseflies, too. Just think what kind of hell a hot summer afternoon would be if these chompers with wings were actually any good at landing first time, rather than bashing into the back of your head for five minutes before getting their bearings.

I guess we should be thankful. While affording all these annoying bugs life, Mother Nature was looking out for us somewhat when she made them. “Hmm, food for birds and spiders … ah yes, blood eating bugs, they’re nice and nutritious. Best not make them too good at it though or the pesky humans will go completely crazy as they get eaten alive.”

And, so it is the howling, not of wolves but mosquitoes that he and I, and many of you listen to as we drift off into an uneasy sleep, wondering how long it will be before the insects join forces. Asking wearily how long before the insects evolve and the mozzies employ the deerflies with their sharp gnashers to chew through the bug screen so they can suck my blood en masse in the middle of the night?

Kushog Lake doing well

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Meagan Secord

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June 27, 2019

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SMKushpgLake1.jpg.69e19b3c — Meagan Secord

Barb Elliot, a professor in the ecosystem management program at Fleming College, said Kushog Lake is healthy and doing well, at the annual Kushog Lake Property Owners Association general meeting.

Elliot brings four students to the lake every fall to complete tests and she said the results show no major issues or decline in the health of the water and surrounding habitats.

One of these tests is called a ‘secchi disk’ and it is used to measure the clarity of the water. Throughout her presentation, she showed cottagers tools, such as the disk, that researchers use to collect samples and measure levels from the water.

She also described the four main problems with the lake and how people can help.

According to Elliot, the four major challenges are: water temperature, habitat loss, excessive nutrients and non-native species. She said cottagers and property owners can help alleviate these problems by not using fertilizers, making sure their septic tank isn’t leaking, cleaning their boats before putting them in the lake and keeping a natural shoreline.

Brenda Pearcey, a property owner on Kushog Lake, said the information was very enlightening but not enough people showed up to hear it.

“I think it’s great but the people that are here are the considerate people,” she said. “It’s the ones that aren’t attending the meetings that this information should be getting to.”

Pearcey says she keeps a natural shoreline at her property so she doesn’t disrupt the habitats of native wildlife. Her property is on the narrows where the trout spawn and she is very concerned about their numbers.

“It was terrible last year. I saw maybe three mates. Three females and two males and that was because they lowered the water the year before when the fish spawn hadn’t hatched yet,” she said.

Elliot said the turnout for the event was very good considering the nice day and was happy to have so many questions from people concerned about the environment.

To find out how your lake is doing, the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Associations recently released a report on 118 lakes in Haliburton County.

The Lake Health Report for the Haliburton Highlands is available for purchase for $10.

George Brown professors learn about aging well

By

Meagan Secord

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June 27, 2019

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Many Haliburton County residents aren’t ready to give up living on their own to move into a retirement home.

The Age-Friendly Master Plan, designed to address questions like this, caught the eye of some George Brown College professors recently.

On June 21, four faculty from the college made the trip to Haliburton to meet with the Aging Well Committee about the plan and how it works.

Doreen Boville, aging well chair, said they were excited the plan had attracted attention to the growing issues older adults face.

“Because they’re teaching students to work with older adults, they want to see what older adults do,” she said about the meeting.

The boardroom buzzed with excitement as the committee and the faculty of the Activation Co-ordinator/Gerontology Program exchanged stories and ideas.

One issue that was discussed by the group is housing. Questions such as ‘what happens if seniors aren’t ready to enter a retirement home yet but aren’t fully capable of being on their own?’ were asked and talked about in depth.

Solutions such as Airbnb, foreign caretakers and live-in PSW’s were brought forward.

Pamela Gauci, a professor at George Brown, said they are teaching the next generation of caretakers so they need to be informed of what is happening, even in small communities.

The college became interested in the plan after starting a new course in the program.

“A new course for us, started a couple years ago, called aging in place,” said Molly Marrack, the program co-ordinator.“

I couldn’t find a curriculum for it so I started reading master plans.” She said a student had found Haliburton’s online and sent it to her.

She included the plan in the course as an example to students of what it means to try and make services accessible to an aging population.

Marrack said the plan “presented an opportunity (to learn) because it’s the future of a lot of communities.”

The organization’s master plan came together after they received funding from New Horizons in 2012.

It includes both seasonal and full-time residents and narrowed down older adults’ needs to four top priorities: transportation, housing, access to community and health services and social participation.

The committee continues to work to improve life for older adults in the county by holding events such as bridging the gap: independence to assistance on September 27 and the housing summit October 18.