One line ends, another begins

February 8, 2024

Lamech Kamuza is driving his TOK Coachlines bus down Country Road 21 about 8:30 a.m. when he sees a deer at the side of the road and slows down.

“I’ve seen them so much,” he comments. He began driving the Haliburton to Toronto route more than a year ago. He was at the wheel for the last time with TOK Jan. 31, as the Concord, ON-based company has discontinued the route it had operated for 34 years.

However, Kamuza broke some good news to passengers last Wednesday, telling them Entertainment Tour Travel Inc., of Markham, was beginning a new service effective Feb. 2. [see related story on page 3].

When TOK announced Nov. 6 it was ceasing the run, Kamuza said he was saddened.

“I was getting a lot of seniors that go into the city to see doctors, and stuff like that. I knew there was no other way for them to get into the city.”

‘I’m really glad I’ve had an opportunity to do it’

The resident of Ingoldsby said when his car broke down awhile back, he could not find transport to Toronto. “That experience was very discomforting. I moved from the city up here and I’m used to the convenience of the city. To realize that there’s not a public transit system… a way for people to get around… that was very discomforting.”

He said he took the TOK driving job thinking it would be just a way to make some money.

“I quickly realized it was more than a job,” he said. He understood the importance of providing a ride to and from Toronto for those who needed it.

“I’ve met some awesome people. There’s a few elderly that take the bus from Haliburton… can I say names? There’s Stella, Nancy, oh gosh, there’s just so many. Quite a few in Minden, too. I meet elderly seniors, children, males, females, even pets that come through the door.”

Alana Gordon boards the bus in Norland. She took it up from the city Jan. 12 and was returning from visiting her best friend. “It’s great, brings me here, cheap…” She said the threat of the discontinued service “sucked… because this is my best friend I’ve known forever.” She welcomed news of another operator. “Just as long as I can come back.”

Steven Bergeron sits at the front of the bus, chatting with Kamuza as the highway lines whiz by and snow gives way to green en route south. A transit aficionado, he came from Orillia to take the last run.

“I wanted to come today because I know this route is important. My dad cottaged up here for 30 years at Haliburton Lake by Fort Irwin. He knows how it is up here; how hard it is for people to live up here. So do I.”

Bergeron said he wanted to ride the TOK bus one last time as “it is a little bit of history. It’s also good that there’s another company coming.”

Driver ‘nostalgic’

As we drive through Coboconk, into Fenelon and Lindsay, Kamuza said he wasn’t overly worried when he found out about the line ceasing, believing everything was going to be okay. He will be driving for the new company. He had an opportunity to continue with TOK but it would have meant being in the city more. His family, including his threeyear-old baby girl, are in the Highlands and he likes to come home at night.

The bus continues to Hwy. 35 and 115 then into Bowmanville, Courtice and Oshawa before heading out on the 411 towards Scarborough and Vaughn. Kamuza will then work from the city for several hours before the bus that left Haliburton about 8 a.m., heads back north around 5 p.m.

Stephen and Mieke Foster are some of the last customers as the bus pulls back into Haliburton about 9:30 p.m.

The retirees own a home in Toronto but use the coach to come back and forth to a second home in Haliburton village. They do not own a car. They boarded with backpacks and carts at Vaughn.

“Not everybody has a car,” Mieke said, and Stephen added as they get older, they dislike driving in the busy city. “So, this gets us away from that. The worst we have to do is haul ourselves. It’s not fighting my way through snow.”

Mieke adds, “having the bus up to Haliburton just makes it that much easier because we would otherwise have to rent a car, pick it up, return it on time, fill it with gas. On the bus, you can sit down, do what you want to do.”

As if on cue, she sits down on the floor and does some stretching. The two said they are “relieved” someone else is taking over the route and hope it succeeds.

Kamuza, meanwhile, is “nostalgic.” He tells the story of an elderly gentleman, a regular, who likes to ride up front but tends to cringe as Kamuza makes his way through heavy city traffic, saying, “I don’t know how you do it!”

With the last stop, the Shamrock gas station, in sight, Kamuza adds, “driving for a living… you cannot play around. This isn’t like working somewhere where you can sit down, and take your eyes off the road. You are constantly on the ball, but I really enjoy driving. I’m really glad I’ve had an opportunity to do it.”

Warm weather causing havoc

Mike Baker

February 8, 2024

A warm weather snap is running roughshod over the Highlands’ tourism sector, with some businesses scaling back operations and cancelling events.

Tegan Legge, general manager of tourism and operations at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, confirmed Feb. 5 that the 33rd annual Poker Run snowmobile fundraiser, slated for this coming weekend, has been cancelled.

With temperatures rising as high as eight degrees Celcius Feb. 8 and 9, Legge said she couldn’t guarantee the Forest’s trail network would be in good enough condition to host the 400 to 600 riders that usually participate.

The event is a fundraiser for the Dysart et al Fire Department, bringing in $20,000 last year. Legge said past donations have gone towards purchasing equipment such as jaws of life, a ‘snowbulance’ and rescue boat.

“It’s a massive disappointment, but given the weather, we didn’t have any other choice. We could have looked at pushing the event back and doing something in March, but it’s very unlikely, given the way things are looking, that we’d be able to host it then,” Legge said.

She noted some of the Forest’s other activities – trail hiking, ice climbing and the wolf centre, are going strong.

“It’s been a nail-biter of a season so far… we could be doing better, but we’re in a good position compared to a lot of other places in Ontario. The trails aren’t pristine, they’re a little bumpy, but people are just happy to get out there,” she said.

Meghan Orr, owner of Buttermilk Falls Resort, said the winter ice fishing season has been a disaster so far. The rural retreat, which overlooks Boshkung Lake, boasts eight winterized cottages, which Orr said are usually full now.

She noted the resort had 29 weekend bookings in February 2022, 28 in February 2023, but just 12 this year.

Not all bad for some operators

“A lot of people come here for ice fishing… we don’t have any of our huts out there yet,” Orr said.

She noted this wasn’t a new issue – in the three years she and husband, Stephen, have owned the resort, the winter season has been getting shorter and shorter.

“The previous owners aimed to have huts out for the third weekend in January. We had one season where we got them out in the last week of January, then the past two years it’s been February,” Orr said. “Now, we’re not sure we’re going to get them out at all this season.”

Neil Vanderstoop, president of the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA), has warned people to exercise extreme caution when debating whether to take their machine onto a lake. The Highlander has received reports of snowmobiles going through the ice on Redstone and Gull lakes in recent weeks.

“If the lake isn’t staked, then it’s not safe,” Vanderstoop said, noting HCSA hasn’t staked any lakes in the County yet this season, and likely won’t.

He noted less than half of HCSA’s snowmobile trails are open, but the group was working around the clock to maintain anything passable, including the Hydro Line Trail that travels south to Whitby and several loops around Haliburton village. He noted access to the B112 South into Minden is very limited.

Angelica Ingram, the County’s tourism manager, said that while the mild winter season is disappointing for some, there’s still lots for locals and visitors to do.

Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride has 14 runs and is open as usual, while Winterdance Dogsled Tours is still taking bookings. Ingram noted Hike Haliburton Winter Edition, which took place Feb. 3 and 4, was a great success, with people participating in 12 hikes across the County. There’s plenty of free events for people to enjoy too, she said.

“People can visit Abbey Gardens, where they have so many things happening – there are trails and an outdoor rink. There’s the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, which is just beautiful at this time of year, and we have art galleries open in Haliburton and Minden that are both debuting new exhibits this weekend,” Ingram said.

“It’s been a slower start to winter. We’re trying to stay positive though – it’s not completely green out there. We just have to hope more snow comes, while at the same time emphasizing there’s lots to do even if you can’t ice fish or do a ton of snowmobiling.”

County warden Liz Danielsen said the upper-tier government may have to come up with a different long-term plan for winter tourism.

“The traditional activities are rapidly going out the door. I was talking to someone recently who said they bought a new [snowmobile] a couple of years ago and they’ve only used it once,” Danielsen said. “It’s an unfortunate situation. It’s going to change how we deal with tourism, how we offer tourism packages going forward.”

Leave libraries alone

February 1, 2024

Imagine the Haliburton County Public Library seeking $1.3 million to run eight libraries in the County this year?

That’s a bit much according to some County councillors, who voiced their concerns at a budget meeting Jan. 24.

The two most outspoken were the mayors of the biggest townships in the Highlands – Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey and Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter.

Pardon my sarcasm, but these mayors are involved in arena projects. Carter was on the Minden Hills council that spent nearly $14 million of taxpayers’ money on the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and community centre. While Carter voted against [as did councillors Pam Sayne and Jennifer Hughey], the council ultimately approved the spend.

And Fearrey is talking about a new arena and curling club on land Dysart et al recently purchased on County Road 21. While no price tag has been mentioned, we’re talking millions.

Those projects could fund libraries for the next 20 years.

And this at a time when registration for minor hockey is down. Sure, there are the Huskies, figure skating, public skating and shinny, however none of our arenas – including the Keith Tallman Memorial Arena Wilberforce – is booked out 100 per cent of the time. Not even close.

Our libraries, on the hand, are heavily used and $1.3 million is a bargain for a service that offers books, audible books, free newspapers and magazines, movies, music, passes to Algonquin Provincial Park, a loan of athletic equipment, radon testing, and a myriad of programming for children right through to adults.

Fearrey said something about the fact Dysart and Minden Hills only have one library each, when they are the biggest towns in the County.
He questioned whether the library board had ever considered the number of branches – since there is one in Algonquin Highlands, and it’s hoped a second will return to Dorset.

Highlands East has four. Imagine! There are libraries in Wilberforce, Gooderham, Cardiff and Highland Grove. In many ways, these small libraries are more important than the bigger town libraries because they provide a service, and a place to go, where there isn’t always a great deal else going on.

Perhaps most importantly, libraries are financially accessible to all. You might not be able to pony up the hockey registration fees, but you can take your kids to the library for free programming.

For many, it’s a place to connect to WiFi when the service is not good at home. Some kids do their homework there. Others download movies to watch at home.

Looking at the money, the County has been known to squander it. How about all of the consultants hired to look into public transportation, with not even a school bus running between our towns for the general public?

While some might complain it costs a lot to maintain eight library buildings, how about five main township offices, and all of the other infrastructure required to have five governments in an area of 20,000 people?

If council is looking to keep a better eye on costs, might we suggest not attacking the library budget but checking off a few of the ideas on that services delivery review to see if some efficiencies may be finally gained.

A curious case

Mike Baker

February 1, 2024

Four months away from a new farmers market season and we are still no closer to knowing if the popular weekly event will have a home in Haliburton this year.

The Haliburton County Farmers Market Association and Dysart et al remain at loggerheads over the Haliburton market, which ran successfully at Head Lake Park for 11 years before being moved to Rotary Beach Park in 2023.

Market executives say the move has been a failure – with an approximate 30 per cent decrease in visitors last year. Several merchants have indicated they will not return unless the event is back in Head Lake Park this spring, HCFMA officials say.

Dysart council, it would appear, aren’t too thrilled about having the event back a stone’s throw from Highland Street. Several councillors, notably mayor Murray Fearrey and coun. Pat Casey, have expressed concerns over the location, listing issues like waterlogging at Head Lake Park on rainy days, a lack of available parking in the downtown and traffic congestion as reasons for the event’s relocation.

There has been a change in attitude recently, however. Now, council appears happy to sign off on the market’s return – providing the HCFMA pays for it.

Initially, Fearrey wanted around $15,000 for HCFMA to use the space – which has since been reduced to $4,200. Any money received, Fearrey said, would be used to rectify damages caused by market vendors and visitors.

Market officials have been left exasperated by this request. Brian Nash, a long-time board member, said aside from a few tire marks left imprinted in the grass on wet days, and a few damaged sprinklers, he’s unaware of any damage caused during a market day. He’s asked the township for proof of any damages – invoices that show work has been completed – but hasn’t received any.

A similar request from The Highlander has also fallen on deaf ears.

That does seem curious. Given how adamant Fearrey is that the association should pay, one would be forgiven for assuming there’s a laundry list of issues that have been rectified over the years at a substantial cost.

The whole situation has left those with links to the farmers market feeling singled out.

Fearrey’s comments at a Jan. 23 council meeting won’t have done much to ease tensions. First, he said HCFMA should not be considered a true not-for-profit given his belief that many of its vendors make a lot of money in Haliburton on market days. The organization does have official non-profit status with the federal government.

After it was pointed out other events that frequent Head Lake Park, such as the annual powerboat races, Art in the Park, and Rotary-sanctioned activities, have faced no such charge, Fearrey said those things all give back to the community – noting powerboat race organizers donates annually to Haliburton Highlands Health Services and Rotary has a long history of supporting important causes and projects in the area. The mayor said the market hasn’t contributed on that level.

HCFMA’s numbers state it sees around 15,000 visitors to the Haliburton market annually. Given many of those people will then shop at Haliburton stores, eat at Haliburton restaurants, and gas up at Haliburton pumps – the payback is surely there.

It should speak volumes too that several downtown businesses, as well as the Haliburton BIA, have called for the market’s return to Head Lake Park.

Given Dysart council this week approved its 2024 budget, with expenditures pegged at north of $24 million, is it really worth alienating County farmers and agriculturalists and risk losing an event that brings thousands to the downtown over a few coppers? Because that’s essentially what $4,200 is on a municipal ledger. A percentage of a percentage point.

Should council persist with an annual fee, it needs to develop a consistent fee structure for any event at Head Lake Park. Having one rule for HCFMA and another for everyone else would be a terrible look. It would only fan the flames for those who feel the farmers market is being unfairly targeted.

Stop the bleeding

Lisa Gervais

February 1, 2024

Minden’s urgent care clinic was forced to close its doors Jan. 15 – the first time since going full-time Oct. 3.

They are operating with one full-time nurse practitioner and they need two. The Kawartha North Family Health Team is continuing to attempt to recruit another. In the meantime, they are doing their best to juggle their part-timers’ schedules.

HHHS, meanwhile, is still not where it wants to be with staffing. It is spending a lot of time scheduling, and a lot of money, on locum physicians for the ER. These are people who come to cover shifts but don’t stick around.

And while HHHS has reduced its dependency on agency nursing – they still recruited and paid for 59, 12-hour shifts in December.

It’s time-consuming and costly – but more importantly – it means patients are not being seen or not being seen as timely as they could be.
The KNFHT runs a pretty tight ship and there is no doubt new management at HHHS is cleaning up dodge.

So, it’s time the provincial government stepped up to the plate. Past time.

While Doug Ford’s Conservatives are busy fiddling – moving Service Ontario outlets into Staples’ stores and planning the closures of others (we don’t have Staples and Service Ontario has been targeted here in the past) – the health care system is burning.

They have been presented with numerous solutions from various fronts.

Part of the reason a family doctor might not want to move to Haliburton County is the workload. If we are telling candidates about a work-life balance in the beautiful Highlands, then we have to offer it. So, how about getting two doctors for the price of one and allowing part-time work. In the case of older physicians perhaps seeking a lifestyle change, this could work in the County. Put in your three days and then spend four at the cottage. The province can change this with a stroke of a pen.

The government could get rid of the line it has drawn between southern and northern Ontario, and treat regional and rural communities in the near north – places like us – as underserviced areas. Bump up our numbers of required physicians.

Increase the number of medical students in the province. Ontario has announced it is adding 160 undergrad seats and 295 postgrad positions to medical schools over the next five years, 71 for up north. That number could increase.

Physicians and chiefs of staff have plenty of ideas if the Ontario government would only listen.

I can understand how a new physician might be overwhelmed when faced with a patient suffering from a condition they have no experience with, and no specialist on-site. Why not provide rural and remote ER doctors with real-time virtual access to specialists?

How about funding for travel and accommodations for medical residents to take elective rotations in rural communities such as ours. It should not be the County that is responsible for housing these folks.

Some have suggested that when a locum travels to regions, they should be required to bring a resident physician from their home institution.

Another suggestion, this one for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, is that they need to make it easier to license international medical school grads who want to work in rural and remote areas.

And there should absolutely be more incentives and return-of-service obligations to bring physicians to places such as Haliburton County.
The crisis is not going away. It is time for the Ford government to stop the bleeding.

Housing has to be the focus

Mike Baker

February 1, 2024

There have been a lot of lingering questions about Dysart’s recent $1.725 million deal to acquire 91.5-acres of vacant land outside Haliburton village.

Why this parcel? Why so much money? What does Dysart plan to do with it?

We touched base with the key players involved in the deal – notably Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey and local businessmen Paul Wilson and Andrew Hodgson. They were all aligned in thinking this property is the last chance Dysart has to meaningfully grow Haliburton village. Debatable given the swathes of empty land heading out of town along Hwy. 118.

Though, given the acreage is close enough to town that it could easily tie into the municipal sewer system and connects to land Dysart owns along Industrial Park Road, potentially creating a second access point to any future development, I definitely see the upside.

Wilson, who has made a career out of developing vacant land in the Highlands, believes the property could accommodate more than 200 new homes. Fearrey said he sees a range of housing options at the site, from single family detached to multi-unit residential – apartments and condos.

If there’s one thing we need more of in Haliburton County, it’s housing. With experts predicting our population could grow by as many as 10,000 people over the next 30 years, we need places where those people can live. From that perspective, I do see this as a win.

It is a gamble though, and the fact it’s being made using taxpayer money is cause for concern. Former mayor Andrea Roberts correctly surmised a council’s job is to ensure the municipality is as risk averse as humanly possible. Any number of things could happen over the next few years to jeopardize this development.

Fearrey said it was the township’s intention to sell the land to a builder to develop. With how unstable the economy seems heading into 2024, what happens if we enter into another recession? What if, once everyone has done their homework, there’s no outside interest to develop the land? The township would be in an incredibly difficult position.

It is concerning too that Fearrey appears to have negotiated this deal himself before involving the rest of council.

Ever since the October 2022 municipal election, there’s been an awkward perception that Dysart council has become a one-man operation, with Fearrey calling the shots. Hearing how the mayor first contacted Wilson to inquire about the land, and then dealt with Hodgson directly on the finer details, before bringing it back to his fellow elected officials, feels off.

The mayor has done this previously. He was instrumental in the deal that brought the Gardens of Haliburton retirement residence to town during a previous term. That arrangement has worked out well for the town. Maybe this will too.

The night of his acclamation, Fearrey told The Highlander he would solve Haliburton’s housing crisis this term. At the time, it seemed a massive stretch – it still does – but this deal at least presents some hope that more housing options, and substantial ones at that, are coming down the pipeline.

The one thing that leaves me scratching my head is the talk of a new arena and curling club. While they would be nice things to have, you have to wonder where the money is coming from. The final cost of Minden’s new arena was north of $13 million – and that was pre-inflation. Adding a second building to that, you’re likely talking in the ballpark of $20 million. Dysart doesn’t have that kind of money and borrowing it would cripple the township, and its taxpayers, financially for decades.

A shiny, new arena should not be a priority. As much as the Minden-Haliburton rivalry still burns bright, and things like arenas are used as points in a nonsensical game of one-upmanship, housing has to be the number one focus here. I hope council keeps sight of that.

New company to offer Haliburton-Toronto bus

Lisa Gervais

February 1, 2024

By Lisa Gervais

While TOK Coachlines will no longer be operating a Haliburton to Toronto bus route, The Highlander learned this week that Entertainment Tour Travel Inc., based out of Markham, is taking over the service.

Company spokesman, Mark Williams, said he is planning to run a coach Feb. 2 and will continue Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as TOK previously did.

Williams said he owns property in Minden Hills and was moved when he heard that TOK was discontinuing service effective Jan. 31, 2024.

“Hard to close it down just like that,” he told the paper. “I’m willing to take it on, and put one of my buses on the route, and see where we go from here.”

He said the only big change for now is the last stop will be Yorkdale, otherwise it will be status quo.

He said people can purchase tickets from agencies. Here in the County, they can go to the Minden Shell gas station. In addition, they can purchase tickets on the bus. The company is working on a website for ticket orders in future.

“I think it’s going to be great. I really do believe it’s going to be awesome,” he said.

See the Feb. 8 Highlander for more coverage.

Storm drop 4-3 nailbiter

Lisa Gervais

February 1, 2024

The U11 LL Carquest Highland Storm team faced off against South Muskoka White at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The Storm opened the scoring within the first 10 seconds of the game with an unassisted goal from Reed Brown.

South Muskoka scored twice, 46 seconds apart, to take a 2 -1 lead after the first period.

In the second period, the Storm poured on the pressure and had most of the play in South Muskoka’s end. This was led by great defensive play by Jaxon Demerchant, Nathan Hill, Nolan Frybort, Blair Fisher, and Bobby Walker.

The Storm tied the game with a beautiful goal by Brown, which was assisted by Harper Hamilton and Raelyn Adlam. Storm goalie, Nathan Lowe, made some key saves to keep the game tied 2-2 after the second period.

South Muskoka scored twice, at the eight and seven minute marks of the third period, to take a 4-2 lead.

The South Muskoka goalie was impressive in the third, keeping Storm off the scoreboard until Brown completed the hat trick with 2:03 left in the third.

The Storm kept the pressure on, holding the puck in South Muskoka’s end for the remainder of the game. The locals also went on the powerplay with 1:51 left, however were shut out by great goaltending and lost 4-3 in a nailbiter but never gave up and showed great perseverance.

Huskies win in double OT, drop to rivals

Lisa Gervais

February 1, 2024

The Haliburton County Huskies won a Jan. 27 thriller at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena – scoring late in double overtime to oust the pesky St. Michaels Buzzers 3-2.

The blue and white would then go on to drop a close 5-4 decision to rival Wellington Dukes on the road Jan. 28.

The weekend started with team captain Patrick Saini notching his 30th goal of the season at the 5:48 mark of the first period against St. Mike’s, with helpers from Ian Phillips and Jack Staniland.

The Huskies held the lead until 12:04 of the second, when the Buzzers got on the board with a marker from Jonathan Morello. However, it took the locals just 49 seconds to reply, as Matt Milic fired in his fourth of the season, from Charlie Fink and Antonio Cerqua, to put the Huskies back up 2-1.

In the third, former Husky Marco Iozzo exacted revenge with a game-tying goal at 2:40.

The teams had to play until 19:32 of the second overtime period before Ty Petrou bulged the twine, with assists from Saini and Staniland to seal the deal for the home squad.

Petrou said it all happened very fast. “There was a bit of a turnover at the blueline and they had two guys caught down low and the puck just kind of ended up on my stick and I buried it, so it was good.”

Summing up the game, he added, “it was a little closer than we liked. But, I thought it was a good battle. All the boys didn’t back down, didn’t give up so it was good. We bounced back and kept the lead and then fought through it in overtime.”

The late Saturday night finish and then a quick turnaround to get the bus to Wellington showed Jan. 28 as the Dukes got off to an early 3-0 on their home barn.. Connor Hunt scored at 1:40, followed by Cory Jewitt at 7:05 on the powerplay and Panayioti Efraimidis at 15:09 on yet another powerplay, as the Huskies got off to a sluggish start.

They awakened at 16:53 of the first frame, when Saini scored his 31st, from Matt Milic and Hunter Martell. With the clock ticking down on the period, Aidan Yarde potted his third from Phillips and Martell on a powerplay to make it a 3-2 game for Wellington.

The blue and white came out hot in the second. Saini scored number 32 after just 29 seconds, from Petrou. It was 3-3.

However, the Dukes righted their ship, with Sacha Trudel putting them up again, 4-3, at 12:21.

In the third, Phillips scored his ninth, from Cerqua, to make it a 4-4 game. But Wellington answered back with a Caleb MacDonald marker to steal the 5-4 victory.

Petrou said, “Obviously that Wellington game the day after was a quick turnaround for us. It was an early morning. We had to be here (the arena) at 8:30 a.m. It was an early road trip for us. I’m sure a lot of the guys had bus legs and were a little tired.” However, he said it’s about preparing the evening before, eat, drink, rest and mentally prepare.

Prior to hitting the ice for practice Jan. 30, the forward added sticking to their game plan is key. “When we do that, there’s not a lot of teams that can keep up with us. It’s pretty to watch when we stick to our game plan and play the way we can.”

The Huskies played Jan. 31 on the road against the Georgetown Raiders. The result was not known as of press time. Feb. 4, they travel to play the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. They are on the road again Feb. 9 versus the Markham Royals. The Huskies are next at home, Feb. 10, this time hosting Markham. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

Hill leaves lasting legacy at museum

Mike Baker

February 1, 2024

The County’s chief history buff Steve Hill has retired from his role as curator at Haliburton Highlands Museum after 39 years on the job.

The 65-year-old walked through the museum’s doors for the final time as an employee Jan. 27, calling time on his career after four decades of preserving and promoting Highlands history.

Hill has played a pivotal role in shaping the museum into what it is today. He arrived in Haliburton in November 1984, becoming assistant curator. Ross Carver headed up the museum at that time, which was in its infancy after opening in 1967. Hill worked alongside Carver and Doug McNichol, though he admits the museum was a much different place back then.

“When I started here the mindset was that this place was for the tourists from the city. Something to keep them happy while they’re here, to give them something to do,” Hill said. “It was more an amusement for people to pass the time than seen as anything truly significant.”

With a growing collection of local artifacts, Hill pushed to do research on some of the more interesting items. Slowly, the trio built the museum’s inventory and started putting together rotating displays for the public.

“We made things more academic, brought a bit more seriousness to the place,” Hill said.

McNichol and Carver left in the late 80s, with Tom Ballantine brought in to steady the ship. Hill was promoted to curator in 1987.

He was around when community members like Glen Hodgson, a former MPP for the area, Ian Douglas and Henry Pristol donated pieces of different buildings, which would become the 1870s-themed log cabin farmstead that still sits on the museum’s grounds today. People started to trust Hill and Ballantine, with the museum’s collection growing quickly through the 90s.

Asked for his favourite item or display at the museum, Hill said he has two – an old 1800s Degeher and Weiler printing press that was used to publish the old Minden Echo, now the Haliburton County Echo, and an exhibit honouring the now defunct Haliburton Orange Lodge.

“I consider that press almost like the Rosetta Stone of Haliburton because it was the sole survivor of a fire at the Minden Echo building in 1942. That press kept the paper going through some difficult years at the end of the Second World War,” Hill said.

Referencing the Orange Lodge, he added, “they disbanded between 1999 and 2001… they donated all their memorabilia to the museum. Lodge members did a lot for the town. They were the first organization to host bingo in Haliburton. They played a big role in building [A.J. LaRue] arena in 1965.”

Hill has made a lot of findings over the years, even solving some local mysteries. While it was accepted for years that the mills located in the downtown, roughly between Rexall and Mega Munch on Highland Street, were likely destroyed by fire in the late 1800s, Hill found proof while reading old editions of the Lindsay Post online in 2020.

He also found reference to a fire that destroyed an old steamboat that used to bring people to Haliburton before the railway arrived in 1878.

In 2008 he and Ballantine compiled some of the museum’s most interesting photos – including 24 stills donated by the family of Daniel Gorrie, an early settler and merchant – and published Haliburton: A History in Pictures to mark the facility’s 40th anniversary.

Ballantine retired in 2012 and was replaced by Kate Butler. Having worked with Hill for the past 11 years, Butler said he’s been a great asset to the museum.

“Throughout Steve’s time at the museum, his deep interest in preserving the items and stories that tell the history of the community has, I think, been obvious to anyone who has met him,” Butler said. “There can be no doubt Steve’s many years of dedication to local history will leave a lasting legacy.”

Hill said his retirement is bittersweet. Recently turning 65, and dealing with some health problems, he feels it’s time to step away. He plans to stay in Haliburton.

“I’ll miss the people the most, their stories, the cool things they’d bring in to show me,” Hill said. “I hope the museum continues to thrive. Times have changed, people have changed. When I started here you saw a lot more kids coming through… people were proud of their history. There was a great interest in museums. But as time has moved on, people have moved away from that. Museums are struggling right now.”

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