Earlier this summer, Laurie Jones from Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre was replying to some work emails when she was suddenly inundated with messages from several local artists asking about new application fees for next week’s Art and Craft Festival in Haliburton.

The notes surprised Jones, as the application deadline for the annual event – running July 24-26 in Head Lake Park – passed in February. After looking into it more, she quickly realized the email was an online scam meant to separate unknowing locals from their hard-earned money.

“It’s been happening to a lot of festivals this year – someone will create fake accounts, get access to mailing lists and reach out to people trying to sell vendor spots, telling people there’s still lots of time to apply,” Jones said.

“The scammers are really sneaky. The one email address they created was ‘Haliburton Arts and Crafts’ where we’re just ‘Haliburton Art and Craft’. So, people see something like that come through and assume it’s legitimate but it’s not,” she added.

While she’s not aware of anyone falling for the racket involving Rails End, Jones said she set up entirely new email accounts and mailing lists to make sure everything was secure. She also sent a note to members notifying them of the con and reported it to the Haliburton Highlands OPP.

Younger generations being targeted

Cst. Hillary Newman said these virtual scams are “fairly common,” noting complaints tend to come in waves.

“All it takes is for a local business or community group to have their email address hacked and the offending party gets access to contact information for a bunch of people they can then try to deceive,” Newman said. “Sometimes those people reach out to us when they get a suspicious message, sometimes they fall victim to the fraud.”

Newman said it’s a year-round problem, noting the Highlands detachment receives hundreds of reports of fraud every year. While the victims are located within the County, the perpetrators rarely are.

“Most times, we don’t necessarily know where they are. They could be anywhere in Canada or the world,” Newman said. “These scammers can be so manipulative and make the messages appear so legitimate. It can be hard for people to tell what’s real and what isn’t.”

While the stereotype is that these sorts of crimes target seniors, Newman said she’s received calls from people of all ages over the past year – especially the younger generation.

“These messages are all about making people nervous, anxious and stressed out. There are often threats attached,” she noted. “We see a lot of these things saying they’re going to release private, intimate images unless they get paid, or they’ll be issuing an arrest for an unpaid tax bill. Almost all the time, the people making those threats don’t have anything and are making it up to convince someone to pay.”

Read everything carefully

One of the most common scams doing the rounds, Newman said, involves pre-paid gift cards. Typically, victims will receive a message from someone posing as a friend or family member in serious financial trouble. The gift cards, they say, will help them get out of a bind.

“People need to know that any time they get a request like this, it is almost always fraudulent. No company or government agency is ever going to ask for repayment in the form of a gift card,” she said.

“And if it’s a family member asking, just double check through another means or source that the request is really coming from that person.”

Newman warned it can be difficult tracking down money sent virtually, while anything involving gift cards is pretty much a lost cause.

“Once the person has what they want, they move things around and once it’s gone it can be almost impossible to find again,” Newman said.

She noted most fraud cases reported to the Highlands detachment get forwarded to the OPP’s serious fraud office and the Canadian Anti-Theft Centre.

A lot of fraud cases go unreported though, Newman said, with victims often feeling embarrassed.

“They chalk it up as a life lesson, that they shouldn’t have been so naïve. But this is something that can and does happen to anyone,” she said. “In terms of advice, I’d recommend people think twice before responding to anything received over text or email. Read everything carefully.

“There’s nothing wrong with not responding – that’s actually what we recommend. If an issue or situation is legitimate, you’ll hear from them again,” Newman added.

The provincial government is holding Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) money from Minden Hills, as the township plays catch-up on financial statements from 2024 and 2025.

The OMPF is the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities. The township received an allocation of $2,044,000 for the 2025 budget year. It has not received money yet for the 2026 budget year.

CAO Cynthia Fletcher and director of finance, Zack Drinkwalter, addressed the issue during an interview with The Highlander last Wednesday (July 8).

The municipality is required to have audited financial statements every year; and part of those statements include an FIR (financial information return). Drinkwalter said it is “more or less a tax return for the municipality. It’s reporting all your information to the ministry in a format that they utilize for data collection.”

The treasurer said with staff turnover in the finance department over the past couple of years, “the audits never came to completion. There hasn’t been a lot of follow-through just with the changeover.” He only joined the township in time for 2026 budget deliberations and added the municipality has a new audit team this year – having given the contract to Huntsvillebased Pahapill and Associates Chartered Accountants.

“So, we’re catching up now. We’re currently underway with our audit and our FIR so we’re in the process of it right now but it does take a bit of time.”

Drinkwalter said Pahapill is currently working on 2024, “and as soon as that’s wrapped up, will be rolling into 2025, which is just about complete now as far as our work goes, but we will need the audit still.”

Fletcher said, “we need to do the 2024 audit, and put the 2024 FIR in place. At this point, what the province is saying is they’re holding the (OMPF) funding until that happens and we anticipate we’ll be fully caught up this fall.”

The Highlander asked if the lack of funding would impact operations. However, Drinkwalter replied, “as far as our operations go, nothing will change.

Municipalities are 90 per cent funded through tax dollars so the OMPF funding, while it’s part of our revenue, isn’t a big part of our revenue, similar to all municipalities.”

Asked if this was an unusual occurrence for a township, Fletcher said, “it’s not typical.”

Drinkwalter said they are in constant communication with the province.

“They’ve let us know once we get our FIR submitted, then our funding will be released but we’re in talks with the province, we’re always in talks with the province.”

Fletcher added, “we recognize that we need to get caught up and that’s our intention. It’s just been the lack of continuity of a treasurer, which is a very specific position and skillset in a municipality. The lack of continuity has made us fall behind. We now have our treasurer on board, and it’s been his main focus to get us caught up, and we intend to be fully caught up this fall.”

Councillor-at-large Tammy McKelvey, who is a former municipal treasurer, told the What the Haliburton podcast June 30 she believes Drinkwalter, “will be able to get this under control, but it has to be made a priority. This is serious. The province gives us OMPF funding. It’s paid out in four instalments. It’s a big chunk of change. It’s over $2 million for us. They have frozen it, so we haven’t received our instalments for 2026.”

After seven weeks on the picket line in Haliburton, Community Living Trent Lakes staffer Michelle Cooper said she and 35 other Highlands-based workers remain resolute as the strike action involving 4,500 public sector employees continues.

Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 358 walked off the job May 25. They’re fighting for a 6.5 per cent retroactive wage increase, a no layoffs guarantee for existing staff, and increase to baseline funding that supports residents living in Community Living group homes.

The dispute involves nearly two dozen community agencies across Ontario. While workers are paid by their employers, OPSEU Local 358 president, Jessica Bushey, said the funds for those wages comes from the Ontario government. She’s blaming the province for the current situation, with Bushey claiming the Ministry of Community and Social Services is underfunding the sector around $1.5 billion per year.

“I’ve been with Community Living for 19 years and this is the first strike action we’ve ever done,” Bushey said, noting workers unionized in the early 1990s.

“The situation today is different than it ever has been before. It’s two-pronged. We’re advocating for ourselves, for the wage increase we feel we’re owed… but we’re also fighting for the people we support, who rely on us every single day,” she added.

The Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator pegs the cost-of-living increase, using consumer price index (CPI), at just over 20 per cent since 2021. Bushey said many Community Living residents are budgeted just $14 a day for food, while many workers have second or third jobs and utilize the food bank to get by.

In its most recent offer, Community Living pitched a multi-year contract with a three per cent increase in year one and two per cent hike in years two and three. She said the company has yet to guarantee no layoffs as part of a new contract.

Bushey said the provincial government needs to make some concessions for the impasse to end. “We will never, ever pay for the wage increase we want with our own blood.”

In a statement to The Highlander, the provincial government said it has “made historic investments in the development services sector, including nearly $4 billion this year, an increase of $1.6 billion since we took office in 2018, to provide people with access to the services they need, when they need them.

“While collective bargaining is a matter between the employer and the union, we expect every service provider to have strong contingency plans to protect residents and ensure their care is never disrupted,” a spokesperson said.

‘Fighting for the future’

Cooper has put in 27 years with Community Living – 10 in Clarington-Oshawa and 17 in Haliburton County. She told The Highlander she’s fighting for future staff and residents.

“Most of us lifers have been here so long and are relatively close to retirement. We’re fighting for the staff coming up behind us, the programs in the future and Community Living as a whole,” Cooper said. “What is it going to look like in the future when we can’t recruit and retain staff now?”

She’s had a near daily presence on the picket line on Maple Avenue, saying the weather has made it a “brutal” few weeks. Strikers are out Monday to Friday, four hours per day. Cooper said the public has been extremely supportive.

While the strike has been tough, Cooper believes the people she cared for at Community Living have had it worse.

“I can’t even imagine what they’re going through, how confused they must feel. A lot of our residents thrive on routine and familiarity, but they won’t have gotten that these past few weeks,” Cooper said, noting Community Living is bringing in temporary staff to cover shifts. “The people they trust, who know their routines and behaviours, aren’t there anymore. Instead, it’s total strangers supporting them.”

Community Living Trent Highlands did not respond to questions by press time.

It’s a busy lunch rush at the Royal Canadian Legion in Minden, but one table is unoccupied. It always is. It is left vacant in honour of those who never came back from battlegrounds in Europe, Asia and Africa, or who may have survived, but were never the same.

While diners come in to enjoy the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving, some may not stop to examine the impressive display of memorabilia on the walls.

People are being encouraged to stop into the Mabel D. Brannigan Branch 636 on Hwy. 35 this Friday (July 17) as the branch celebrates the Legion’s 100th anniversary in Canada. The Minden branch has been around since 1988.

Treasurer, Paul Norry, said former Minden bank manager, Al Mayo, was “very instrumental” in finding the building and getting the money to purchase it. “He was the driving force. He and Mabel got it together.”

Back then, the legion was entirely volunteer-run, but now has employees and a popular restaurant. They have had to extend parking at the back of the property to accommodate the crowds.

Above the fireplace is their charter, issued by the Dominion Command.

Hetty Leitch said they have uniforms from people who served in wars. There are photographs and paintings, such as two that were done by legion member Chris Burton’s father.

Leitch said, “I’d like (people) to come in and see the memorabilia because it is from donations from people who have been in different wars. Unfortunately, memorabilia tends to become wallpaper.”

They are changing displays up, including some Second World War bond posters they found.

The branch is hosting an open house Friday (July 17), from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to the memorabilia, and sweet treats, they will have sticky notes they would like people to write a message of remembrance on.

Fwin Norry said, “messages can include a few words of thanks, a name, a memory, or a reflection of what remembrance means to them. The message will become part of a largescale commemorative mural honouring the fallen, which will be unveiled during the Remembrance Day period by the Royal Canadian Legion.”

Legion headquarters said “2026 marks a once-in-a-lifetime milestone: a century of standing with veterans, strengthening communities, and honouring the memory of those who served. Founded in 1925 at the Unity Conference, the legion began with a clear mission — to support veterans, advocate for their rights, and ensure the act of remembrance continues. On July 17, 1926, the legion was officially incorporated by a special Act of Parliament, now recognized as our anniversary.”

What else is happening?

Haliburton Legion president Mike Waller said celebrations will be pretty low-key Friday. His wife, Cheryl, has prepared treats and there will be a toast to mark the occasion before the usual 3 p.m. meat draw.

Waller believes the centennial is a major milestone for the legion.

“For the last 100 years the legion has been supporting veterans, helping people through things. The fact it’s still here and thriving a century later is great. I’m hoping it keeps going for another 100 years or more,” Waller said.

Membership at the Haliburton branch is up this year. To mark the anniversary, The Royal Canadian Legion waived the usual sign-up fee for new members this year. Waller said there have been about 170 new people register, taking the legion to about 600 members.

Henry Dickinson, president of the Cardiff legion, hasn’t seen any such boom in his community. A member of the Highlands East-based branch for 30 years in 2026, Dickinson said local membership is at an all-time low.

“It can be hard to convince new veterans to come out. We’ve got to find ways to get people interested in the Legion again,” Dickinson said.

Waller said one misconception people have is that the legion is only for veterans – and even more than that, for those who have seen active combat. But anyone can become a member, whether they have a connection to the military or not.

“All we’re here for is to help – to support people that want and need to be supported, and to provide community for those looking for it,” Waller said.

Later this summer, the Haliburton Legion will hold a special event to debut new displays in the Mountbatten Room. Waller said legion member Kevin Habib has been working for the past year to create an exhibition showcasing local war memorabilia.

“There will be a little open house and walkabout tour of the town – we’ll go down by the plane and to the tank and then bring people back to the legion for some treats,” Waller said. A date has not yet been decided.

In Kinmount, people can stop by the legion for some cake at 6:15 p.m. President Dean Curtis said the branch is also celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026

He’s been a member for six years and said numbers are strong this year, with 18 new members taking them to 114.

“One hundred years is a huge milestone for an organization, there aren’t many other institutions that can say that. The good the legion does for veterans and in the community – supporting food banks and youth, it’s amazing and it’s all volunteerled,” Curtis said.

The Wilberforce Legion is holding its celebrations a week later, across two days next Friday (July 24) and Saturday (July 25). There is a meat cannelloni dinner on the Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., prepared by the ladies auxiliary, with live music by Wilberforce Boys and the Sponge. Festivities kick off at noon Saturday, with kids karaoke, meat draw, tree planting and more live music.

Lloyd Harris, president of the Coboconk branch, said they’re holding a celebration during Legion Week in September. There will be a free luncheon, games and jam session on Sept. 23.

A refresh of the County of Haliburton’s community safety and wellbeing (CSWB) plan is underway with an updated document to be presented to the upper-tier’s new council in November and adopted by spring 2027.

Sue Tiffin, the County’s director of community outreach, told council at its June 24 meeting that since the current plan is now four years old, an update is required, per the province’s Community Safety and Policing Act. Work has been underway since June, with Tiffin and other staff evaluating the policy that was first adopted in early 2022.

“We have connected with other colleagues and municipalities across the province regarding best practices,” Tiffin said. “Generally, there are three approaches we can take – light touch, medium touch or deep dive. Our advisory committee is recommending we adopt a light touch to the plan.”

Through the CSWB plan, Tiffin said she’s partnered with more than a dozen other community organizations to develop a system bringing agencies with different focuses and mandates together in Haliburton County.

Among those involved are the John Howard Society, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Heat Bank Haliburton County, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, the Canadian Mental Health Association, City of Kawartha Lakes housing and homelessness services; Fleming Crew, Point in Time and the County’s three food bank organizations.

The County also offers outreach days every month. Assistance is available for people looking for tax supports, heat and hydro assistance, food, help with Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) applications, housing supports, guidance on skills and education training, adult justice services, and help through the community paramedic services, which includes harm reduction and hepatitis C testing.

“Whenever possible, the outreach team is able to make a connection that results in a warm hand-off from service provider to service provider,”

Tiffin said, noting that making initial connections and building trust can help with referrals. Tiffin said she tries to make sure services are accessible to people across the County. Earlier this month, staff held sessions at the Minden courthouse (July 8) and in Haliburton village (July 14) at the CMHA’s Coming Full Circle program hub. There will be other opportunities to connect July 21 at the John Howard Society in Minden and July 29 at the Wilberforce Food Hub, both from 1 to 3 p.m.

Another key feature of the CSWB plan has been expanded offerings for seniors through the seniors active living centre (SALC). Between July 2025 and March 31, Tiffin said 981 people participated in 501 activities and services offered through SALC.

“Programs were offered for 218 days throughout the 2025-26 fiscal year – we were only running for nine months, but we were very happy with the turnout,” Tiffin said, noting programming for the 2026-27 year is in full swing.

Tiffin said she expects to wrap the first phase of the update this month, with community engagement running in August and September. She said the County will be releasing a survey looking for public feedback. A new draft plan will be developed in October, presented to council in November and finalized by January, with plans to adopt and market the new plan next April and May.

It’s been five months since Your Hometown Dentist moved into its new digs in Haliburton village, with the business’ Paula Crawford saying the early focus has been building a brand-new clientele from scratch.

The office, located at 739 Mountain St. in the space that once housed Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO), opened in February. Crawford said it’s the seventh office she and her brother, Dr. Cam Crawford, have opened in cottage country, with other locations in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County.

Paula said her brother has ties to the area, with his in-laws living in Haliburton. When he heard, last year, that VDO would be closing, he identified the Highlands as an ideal place to expand.

“That was around the same time we had just started doing more outreach work with our mobile trailer, with the goal of servicing more rural communities or helping those having trouble accessing a dentist,” Crawford said. “It seemed like a match for us. Instead of bringing our trailer up to Haliburton County for events, we felt there was enough of a need for us to establish a permanent location.”

The space is open five days per week, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. While their roster has been filling up, Crawford said there’s still lots of room for those looking for a new dentist.

“We don’t have waitlists. We’re able to see people right away,” Crawford noted.

They have hired five staff to run the office, including a dental hygienist and two dentists, Dr. Adeel Husain and Dr. Megan Fulford. Crawford said services include regular cleanings, extractions, root canals and other complex treatments.

They also have a strong referral network, meaning they can get people in for dentures and appointments requiring sedation without having to go on a waitlist.

“I would say our specialty is treating people of all ages. Our female dentist has a lot of experience working with children,” Crawford said.

With the federal government last year expanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Crawford said staff are experienced helping people get registered. She said they offer direct billing, so people don’t have to pay out of pocket for procedures and then try to recoup their money.

Crawford said Your Hometown Dentist is equipped to deal with emergencies immediately, with no wait times. If someone can’t get into the Haliburton office, they will be referred to the next closest location, Crawford said.

The dentist is hosting a community BBQ July 24 from noon to 3 p.m. Crawford said it’ll be an opportunity for staff to connect with the public.

“We’re hoping people come and check us out, see the space… it’s a beautiful location, the office itself is gorgeous still from when VDO had it,” she said.

Despite opening an office in the village, Crawford said Your Hometown Dentist staff are still committed to serving rural parts of the County or offering after hours care through its mobile trailer.

“We had it at the Haliburton Home & Cottage Show and had a lot of people stopping by, saying how great it was that we were there on a weekend. So many people put off dental care because they can’t find appointments that fit their schedule,” Crawford said. “It’s a full-service trailer, so we can do almost anything in there. If there’s a big event in the area, we’re more than happy to bring it out.”

For more information, visit yourhometowndentist.ca.

SIRCH awarded its ‘opportunity looks like hard work’ award last Tuesday (July 7).

This year’s recipient is Emma McGregor. Marketing manager, Laurie McCaig, said that while attending Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Emma balanced school with a customer service role at Shoppers Drug Mart, “demonstrating the kind of work ethic, kindness, and commitment that makes a difference both in the workplace and in our community.”

The award recognizes students who show up, work hard, and make a positive impact through customer service.

This year, SIRCH, along with Stacy McLean and Steve Todd of Todd’s Independent, presented one $500 award to support a local student as they pursue their future goals.