Rogers Communications cell towers, as part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) cell gap project, were a hot topic at Highlands East’s Nov. 14 regular council meeting.

Spectra Point Inc. came to discuss a proposed tower near Clement Lake. Planner Chris Jones had brought their request to the municipality before, but councillors had concerns about the tower’s proximity to Wilberforce.

Spectra’s Chris Leggett appeared virtually last week to explain why they chose the location, citing expected usage patterns of service and proximity to users; local topography; line of sight requirements; opportunities to use existing structures and availability of a willing host.

“Deployment of the tower in its current location, in close proximity to the settlement area, provides high quality internet, wireless internet services, and wireless telephone services, to the residents of the settlement area inside their buildings, which is a great part of what the demand is for these services,” Leggett said.

He added for the site, they spoke with several landowners and only found one willing to host a tower – proposed to be 60 metres high for 4G and 5G service for buildings and cars. He said it would cover a radius of 4 km and could accommodate co-location of other cell service providers.

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall asked if it was about business competition versus customer service since there is an existing Bell tower in Wilberforce Rogers could co-locate on.

Leggett replied in part that because of significant government funding for the EORN project, ($150 million) Rogers is able to erect towers where they otherwise might not be built by other providers due to cost.

Ryall appreciates better coverage but said he is hearing from residents they are worried about different companies placing towers “all over the place… So, you could end up with towers that have both Bell, Rogers, and I’m not sure if Telus is up here, more or less in the same coverage area. That’s something that has been voiced to me as being not something that people would want. Having said that, they want the towers.”

Leggett expects other providers will co-locate versus building towers of their own.

Glamor Lake tower

During the meeting, Jones updated council on a proposed tower at 1005 Glamor Lake Rd. In July, council gave municipal support with conditions, including that the proponent be requested to undertake enhanced public consultation for the proposal (as per council policy); and submit a plan to address existing open storage on the property prior to the completion of the public consultation.

Jones said the proponent held a virtual public consultation Aug. 15 with about 20 people.

On the issue of the open storage of derelict parts, vehicles and boats, he said the municipality prepared a site plan agreement requiring the owner to remove or relocate the items prior to Oct. 1, 2024 and they’d agreed. Council has given its consent.

Zoom meeting for tower

Meanwhile, Rogers is advertising a proposed 90-metre wireless tower at 1587 Alsop Rd., in Highlands East. It will host a public information meeting and comment session via Zoom Dec. 12, from 6-7 p.m. People must register by 3 p.m. Dec. 12

Further, the company is inviting the public to mail or email comments, and, or requests to be informed of the municipality’s position before 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

Contact information: Proposed Wireless Communications Installation Reference: C8597 – 1587 Alsop Rd. Eric Belchamber on behalf of Rogers Communications Inc. 337 Autumnfield St., Kanata, ON, K2M 0J6 Phone: 613-220-5970 Email: eric. belchamber@rogers.com.

After Algonquin Highlands council last week supported the installation of a 91.5 metre tall cell tower on the north side of Boshkung Lake, waterfront residents Robert Harpur and Kathleen Dewar say they’re concerned about the lack of consideration given to maintaining the area’s “naturally scenic beauty.”

The couple live on the south side of Boshkung and say the tower will be visible from every corner of their property.

“Our concern is with the lighting [a requirement through Transport Canada]. We’ll be able to see it from our living room, our dining room, our deck. We won’t be able to escape it no matter where we are on our property,” Harpur said.

It’s the latest tower site as part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) cell gap project, a $300 million joint investment between Rogers and the provincial and federal governments to improve coverage, connectivity, and capacity for 99 per cent of residents in the region by 2025.

This tower, one of four planned for Algonquin Highlands, will be located at 1491 Boshkung Lake Rd.

Harpur contends that whatever will be gained won’t make up for what he calls the destruction of the community’s greatest resource.

“People who come to this area generally accept services will not be the same as in the city… people should be prepared to accept a somewhat lower standard of service,” Harpur said. “Many people who aren’t subjected to having to look at the lights on these towers underestimate the impact they will have… having a scenic view is more than just something that’s nice to have, it’s a resource that should be protected for the benefit of the whole township. Once it’s lost, it can never be regained.”

Dewar said while she participated in the public consultation Rogers held in October, there was a feeling of inevitability surrounding the project.

“That we could suffer a great loss and can do nothing about it [is hard to take]. How much power do we have here, as residents of this lake?” she asked.

They called on Rogers to consider an alternate location.

Christian Lee, representing the cellular giant, said due to the nature of the program – designed to improve connectivity for those with rural properties – they need to be constructed close to built-up areas.

“There is simply nowhere where these towers can be built in areas like Algonquin Highlands where nobody can see them… and they still do the job they’re designed to do,” Lee said.

He noted Rogers installs shielding on its towers, but that typically only limits the view for residents close by. For people like Harpur and Dewar, whose home sits several kilometres away, there’s nothing that can be done to protect them. “That technology, unfortunately, doesn’t exist,” Lee said.

Coun. Sabrina Richards felt for the couple, and anyone else who would be impacted. She said a tower overlooking Big Hawk Lake had lighting installed recently, which “lights up the entire sky at night… when I look in that direction, I can’t see a single star.”

Mayor Liz Danielsen reminded council its responsibility is to consider the project from a land use perspective only.

“The federal government has put specific restrictions on what we’re allowed to use as a reason to say no. Unfortunately, aesthetics isn’t one of them,” Danielsen said.

The project does have its supporters – Stephen Orr, owner of Buttermilk Falls Resort, believes the tower will substantially improve his business.

“I have absolutely crap service… the number of times I have to step outside in minus 30-degree weather in the winter to make a call connect is uncounted. The need for the tower, from my perspective, is huge… my customers rely on being able to have good service,” Orr said.

Lee added he felt the availability of enhanced wireless and data services is vital to the Highlands as it continues to grow.

“Going forward, the availability of [these] services will be seen as being just as important as having electricity. This is a vital part of the way people live and work day-to-day,” Lee said.

Council voted 3-2 in favour of the application, with Danielsen, deputy mayor Jennifer Dailloux and coun. Julia Shortreed for, and Richards and coun. Lisa Barry against.

Haliburton resident Deb Reed said the pending cancellation of the only bus from the County to Toronto means she’ll now have to rely on friends for trips to and from the city.

Reed’s been a passenger on TOK Coachlines, formerly Can-Ar Coach, for eight years.

The company announced Nov. 6 that after 34 years serving the Haliburton, Kawartha, and Durham regions, it will be discontinuing the Haliburton to Toronto line effective Jan. 31, 2024.

Chief executive officer Ajay Mehra, told The Highlander Nov. 22 “all good things must come to an end one day.” He said the company had been losing money on the route for the last four to four-and-a-half years and “we just can’t take it anymore.”

Mehra said driver and fuel costs run a minimum $650 per trip, not including maintenance, insurance, and bus payments. He estimated it is a minimum $1,000 with all costs factored in, while, on average, they are collecting $450-$500 on fares.

He added they were barely breaking even prior to COVID but have struggled since as the ridership did not pick up. He said they are averaging 10-12 passengers a trip.

He noted they receive no government subsidies.

Bus route running in the red

“My heart breaks to cut the service… but I have very limited choices.”

Reed said she doesn’t drive much any more so has relied on the bus at times since moving to the County. She said most of her co-passengers either don’t drive or prefer not to. She added she’s ridden with college students, camp counsellors, summer course teachers, caregivers, contract workers and day-trippers. Her daughters have used the bus to travel north and south when they have visited. In addition, her dentist and another specialist are still in Toronto. So is her decadelong watercolour group, friends, her eldest daughter and grandchildren.

“Many who use TOK are also seniors. They don’t drive any more, and definitely not in winter. They have family, friends, specialists, meetings. They can read or snooze in peace for a few hours, watch the landscape urbanize, and then do the comfy reverse on their return north to where they’ve deliberately retired, often to their longtime cottages. They watch films, read, listen to music, travel in pairs or small groups to family events, galleries, shopping centres, concerts. I started writing my poetry on that regular back-forth. It has evolved into something meaningful for me. I’ve spotted a young moose from the bus, beaver, many, many deer, mother bear and cub. The driver would stop briefly for turtles. How can one not write?”

Reed added she has used the service less in recent years as she has seen a decline in service.

“At one time, I could choose any day to travel. Then four days, then three, and then, no weekends. Thankfully I was retired, and could arrange to go when I needed to. I was very grateful there was a bus. I heard it was the oldest consistent northbound route in Ontario.”

Reed said she had struggled most with the ever-changing pickup and drop-off locations. “With increasing GTA congestion, especially around the traditional 5 p.m. departure time from Toronto, the ‘bus station’ has moved from the cozy Bay/Front depot with snack kiosk/indoor ticket agent/ washroom, to convenient Union Station, to outdoors on the street (with no sign or bus shelter) at McCowan Station near the Scarborough Town Centre.

“But those light rapid transit stations have permanently closed, stranding travellers to figure out TTC and taxi options when they arrive in the city. Or they stand in blizzards and rush hour waiting to be picked up for the return bus north. Not great for anxious seniors.”

What to do:

• For those who have already purchased tickets, there is an option to use them before Jan. 31, 2024, or people can request a full refund by Feb. 29, 2024.

• Tickets purchased online: request via email with your ticket number, contact name and phone number to info@tokcoachlines.com

• Paper tickets purchased from ticket agents: send original to TOK Coachlines, 221 Caldari Rd., Concord, ON L4K 3Z9

• Valid tickets purchased by Nov. 6, 2023 will be honoured with a full refund.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Highland Storm U13 Rep team continued its undefeated streak against the Millbrook Stars.

The victory came on the heels of a huge tournament win in Niagara-on-the-Lake, over Belle River, to be crowned the Harvest Classic Champions.

Millbrook showed up at the A.J. LaRue arena ready to play. The Stars were able to crack the incredible Storm defensive corps of Henry Neilson, Hawksley Dobbins, Hudson Meyer and Levi Rowe to take a 1-0 lead.

Coaches Scott, James and Marcus provided some midperiod inspiration, leading to the Storm starting the second with extra energy in each step.

Travis Rowe connected twice with crafty assists from Dobbins, Neilson and Cruize Neave, sending the Storm to a 2-1 lead.

Blake Hutchinson made several key and acrobatic saves to shut down the continued Millbrook pressure.

Jaxon Hurd, Tyler Hughes and Lyla Degeer used effective back-checking to generate many chances against a hot Millbrook goalie throughout the game, leading to many cheers from the crowd.

With continued pressure, Brycen Harrison netted back-toback goals, with helpers from Travis Rowe, Dobbins and Neave giving the Storm a 4-1 advantage midway through the second.

The third line of Linus Gervais, Hunter Hamilton and Chase Kerr used their speed to open up the ice and draw a couple of penalties to slow down the Millbrook offence. After many great chances, Neave finally found the net, with an assist from Harrison to extend the lead to 5-1 for the Storm.

The Storm continued with a relentless offensive assault on the strong Millbrook goaltender, drawing oohs and ahs from the stands until Neilson drove home the sixth goal of the game with assists from Dobbins and Gervais. Millbrook added a second goal but couldn’t overcome the Storm, leading to a 6-2 final. Second goalie Marshall Heasman, who had a stellar shutout in Niagara, was ready if needed.

The Haliburton County Huskies doubled up on the Markham Royals 6-3 in a Remembrance Day tilt at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

A dominant second period – in which the Huskies outscored their opponent four goals to one – made the difference Saturday, in front of 525 fans.

Lucas Marshall opened the scoring with a timely tip at 4:52, from Jack Staniland and Lucas Vacca.

But, the blue and white sagged when a hot Ben-Chaim Lalkin scored his 26th marker of the season for the Royals. Less than six minutes later, Jake Barkley got another past Husky goalie Brett Fullerton to give the visitors a 2-1 lead going into the second.

It was all Huskies in the middle frame. Patrick Saini led the goal parade, scoring at 3:14 from Ty Petrou and Ian Phillips.

The Royals answered straight-away, making it 3-2 off a Barkley goat at 3:36.

But the Huskies stormed back with three. At 6:39, Nicholas Lamont bulged the twine on a powerplay, with helpers to Alex Bradshaw and Vacca. Saini netted his second of the period, and 15th of the season, at 14:12, from Petrou and Izayah Luddington. Then, it was Phillips’ turn at 18:24, from Petrou and Saini.

Phillips capped it off with an empty-netter at 18:27 of the third, from Saini and Ethan Wright, for a dominant 6-3 showing.

Fullerton turned aside 27 of 30 shots.

Coach Ryan Ramsay said, “I thought we played a sound game. From start to finish, I thought our D-corps played really well, which was great to see them do. We had some big and timely saves from Fullerton, which was great. I was happy as that team was nationally ranked before they lost to us. Anytime you beat a top team in our conference, it’s a confidence and motivation for our guys.”

Buzzers 4 Huskies 2

The Huskies got off to a 2-0 start against the St. Michael’s Buzzers Nov. 12 but went on to lose 4-2.

Petrou opened the scoring at 4:06, from Phillips and Saini. Then, Charlie Fink knocked one in from Phillips and Saini.

The Buzzers picked one up in the second to make it a 2-1 game, before three late goals in the third to seal the deal.

A frustrated Ramsay said, “we played an unreal first period and then we just kind of stopped working.”

Eastern Canada Cup

Ramsay, Petrou and Saini took part in this week’s 2023 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge.

Ramsay was the bench boss while Petrou and Saini skated for the OJHL Oates team at Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens in Trenton Nov. 13-15.

Ramsay said it was a good experience.

“You’re with the so-called best players in the league.” When not coaching, he said it was valuable to talk with reps from division 1 and NHL teams about his players and the Husky program.

The challenge is one of the premier Jr. A hockey events in the county, providing exposure for top prospects of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Quebec Junior Hockey League and the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

Two all star teams from each of the five leagues played in front of scouts from all over the hockey world – including the NHL, NCAA, CHL and U SPORTS.

A total of 23 games were played using a modified two-period format in round-robin, quarter-final, semifinal and championship games.

The tournament also serves as a player identification event for the coaching staff for Team Canada East for the team’s annual training camp and subsequent entry into the World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 10-17 in Truro, N.S.

Next up: The Huskies play the Collingwood Blues on the road Nov. 17, with the squad back home Nov. 18 for a 4 p.m. tilt against the North York Rangers.

The Township of Minden Hills is welcoming people to its Christmas events on Saturday, Nov. 18.

It will kick off with the annual Santa Claus parade at 11 a.m. The route begins at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, marching along Parkside Street, heading south on Bobcaygeon Road, and finishing at the township municipal parking lot off St. Germaine Street.

Right after the parade is Christmas in the Village. It will be held at the Heritage Village of the Minden Hills Cultural Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Santa will be in the village after the parade to hear children’s wishes and have photos taken until 2 p.m.

“Visitors are free to explore and shop at the local artisan market. They can enjoy homemade baked goods available for sale in the Bowron House and browse the oldfashioned candy shop in the Welch Room,” the township said.

There will be a Santa letter writing station as well as Christmas ornament crafting booths. A live music performer, Eric Swanson, will sing and play popular Christmas songs between 1-4 p.m. Also, a book sale by the Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library (FOHCPL) will be available on site.

The Agnes Jamieson Gallery will be open and feature the current exhibit, Shifting Lens, by the Ontario Society of Artists – Eastern Hub. The Minden Hills Cultural Centre is located at 176 Bobcaygeon Rd.

Haliburton festivities

Meanwhile, the Haliburton and District Lions Club will be busy Nov. 19, erecting the town tree on Highland Street.

Jim Frost said the tree will go up about 11 a.m. Sunday at the usual spot beside the Royal LePage offices.

The tree was donated again this year by Vince and Barb Hammond from their property in Fort Irwin.

It’s being cut, picked up and erected by the town volunteer fire crew. They will also then hang the Christmas lights.

The spot for the tree is on the property of Anthony and Juliane vanLieshout who also donate the hydro for the lights.

“Again, we invite families to come and hang their ornaments on the tree during the season,” Frost said.

Three Highlands families have this month joined forces to launch a new community-wide initiative designed to help more people sleep in comfort.

Joy Webster said her family came together recently with the Caplars and Solniks, fellow residents of South Lake, to form the Great South Lake Pyjama Project. The idea, she said, is simple – they’re asking people to donate newly purchased PJs that can be passed on to community members most in-need.

“There’s huge poverty in our area, so many people are forced to go without essentials and basic necessities… I decided I wanted to do something to help,” Webster said.

After seeing a friend successfully launch a similar initiative in Durham Region, Webster was convinced the concept could take hold in Haliburton County. She made a post on her lake association’s Facebook page Nov. 4 and received her first donation later that day.

“I came into town to run a few errands and when I got home, I found this pair of brand-new pyjamas sitting on our deck,” Webster said. “This is such a giving community.”

She presented the idea to Martha Waind and Joan Cavanaugh-Clark, reverends at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. The church agreed to partner in the initiative, with drop-offs being accepted at its thrift store in Minden.

Having the support of the church, and in particular Waind and Cavanaugh-Clark, has been huge in helping to establish the project, Webster said. As of Nov. 14, the group had collected more than 25 pairs of pyjamas.

“Rev. Joan and Martha know who’s in need more than anyone. They know the people who are new to town, who are hiding because of an abusive situation. They see things before we, the community, see them,”

Webster said. “That helps, because they’ll know exactly who will benefit the most from this.” Webster said the plan is to run the project year-round, with pyjamas of all sizes, and for any age, accepted. Two-piece sets are preferred, she noted.

The group is looking for a drop-off point in Haliburton to ensure both the County’s primary hubs are covered. Webster is also willing to do pick-ups.

“I’ve always felt strongly that, instead of complaining about what isn’t happening in our community, focusing on what people and politicians aren’t doing, that we, the people, can be the catalyst for change. This is one small way we can get engaged and give back,” Webster said.

“Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep in new, cozy and comfortable pyjamas,” she added. To donate, or learn more, contact Webster at 705-796-8265.

When Bob Snider retired, he and wife, Charlotte, purchased a bush property near Gooderham, with the vision of building a small cabin and sugar shack to make maple syrup.

Their first attempt was in March 2016, when they snowshoed into the woodlot with a few buckets and a turkey fryer. That weekend, they made a little less than two litres of maple syrup but were hooked.

The next year, they had the sugar shack built and have continued to expand and improve every year since. As a hobby operation with less than 300 taps, they use traditional bucket and gravity sap collection methods, a wood fire evaporator and gravity filtering.

“The reasons we make maple syrup are simple,” says Bob. “We are a family that eats a lot of it, I enjoy the challenge, and it is an activity that brings our family together throughout the year. My sister and I learned the basics of sugaring from our dad when we were kids. Today, my wife, daughter, her partner, my sister and a nephew all help out, from filling the wood shed in the fall, to collecting sap and managing the evaporator in the Spring, to delivering our orders to family and friends after the season is over.”

The family – under the name Neil’s Brown Farm – entered the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair the first time in 2019 and in each of the past four years have been awarded ribbons. Last year, they received a second place for their Amber and a third for their Very Dark maple syrups.

This year, at the 101st Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, they were “very honoured” to be named the 2023 Champion Maple Syrup (best of the class 1 through 4) and to receive the John David Eaton World Championship Cup for their Grade A Dark Robust Taste maple syrup.

Bob said, “in my absence, my sister, our daughter and newborn were present at the award ceremony on Nov. 8 in Toronto.

“We are proud to be a part of Ontario’s agricultural tradition and of the role the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair takes in celebrating that tradition. Our love of sugaring is not unique. Ontario producers each have a story to tell and at the heart of their stories is a love of sugaring and the ability to produce great pure maple syrup,” Bob said.

He added his involvement with maple syrup goes beyond their own operation. As a board member of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, he works with other producers to advance Sweet Ontario, Pure Maple Syrup.

“As a family, we look forward to the 2024 season and coming together to hopefully produce another great maple syrup,” Bob said.

Asked about the name, Neil Brown’s Farm, Bob said, “Neil Brown’s name is written across our property’s lot and concession on an 1890 map for the Township of Glamorgan. We assume that Neil Brown was the first owner of the property and may have started the arduous task of clearing the bush and moving the many stones in an effort to homestead. One hundred and forty years later, what remains of these efforts are huge piles of stones throughout the sugar maple bush. We recognize the earlier settlers by naming our farm after Neil Brown.”

Haliburton resident, Deborah J Reed, has put her last 12 months of waiting into preparing another book.

It wasn’t COVID that kept Reed busy writing this time around. Instead, it was a full year of dividing her days between temporary shelter in West Guilford and her flat in Toronto, as she and her partner waited for their house to be rebuilt after a fire last year.

Reed said the fire claimed almost everything she and her partner owned, so she focused on fiction.

After an art collective she belongs to suggested last November’s creative challenge be a read-aloud piece of flash fiction (a complete story of extreme brevity), Reed composed a piece and called it Unchained Melody.

“This little story, also shared aloud on CanoeFM, relates a tense moment in the life of a city 10-year-old,” Reed said.

She added she enjoyed the initial flash fiction assignment so much, she carried on writing until 31 more little stories were completed and make up the new book, Instant Soup.

Reed said it’s, “a thoughtful collection of tales and editorials, with my own black and white illustrations, based on almost everyone and everything I’ve ever encountered. Many settings involve cottage country, and my special love of simplicity here.”

Speaking of simplicity, she added that each story contains only and exactly 500 words.

As for the title, Reed said it is “so that each ‘flavour’ can be sipped on, briefly visited, and slightly felt. These are simple and varied scenarios about life itself, and would nicely serve a class of literature students, or a mind which still loves books but can’t focus for too long these days, or an out-loud reader who appreciates a good discussion.”

As for the project helping her to heal from the house fire, Reed said, “healing because it distracted me, and kind of kept me company as a project I could work on anywhere I went with my phone.”

Reed majored in literature at the University of Toronto, and taught ESL, French, and mostly Grade 5s for 31 years. She’s written and contributed to the illustrations of three other books, Field Hooky, Ontario Wizard and Rhymes with Haliburton, and continues to compile her newer poetry for a second volume.

Instant Soup is available at The Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre, Master’s Book Store, Rowan and Oak, Organic Times and online at Amazon.

Minden’s On the Spot convenience store has rebranded, with owners Mary and Vanessa Douglas shifting the business’ focus to promote more locally-sourced and produced goods.

Recently changing the name to Let’s Get Local, Mary said the rebranding is more fitting with her vision for the downtown location. She bought the store in April 2021 with a view to eventually make it a destination for local artisans and shoppers.

Renovations were completed in early November, transitioning the back half of the store into a sit-down café, with space also dedicated to local crafters and entrepreneurs to showcase their creations.

“I always saw this as being more than just a convenience store. It’s a perfect location right in the downtown, and it generates a lot of traffic. My idea is to help promote local, get more eyes on people and products that otherwise might not have that chance,” Mary said.

“I started going to the farmers market last year and talked to some of the people. After seeing some of the incredibly talented people we have here, and some of the products, I wanted to find a way to work with these people to help get their stuff out there even more,” she added.

They have partnered with The Nooks, a nationwide marketplace built exclusively for Canadian makers, in the new space. Vanessa said there are six vendors already on board – White Pine Purl hats and accessories, Sara’s Soaps and Candles, Four Soap Co., Inspired by Griffen Photography, Attract Attention art products, and clothing brand Fenix.

Katie Raftis, owner of Attract Attention, said this was a great opportunity for her to display her handmade items year-round.

“I’m familiar with The Nooks brand, seeing it across the GTA, so I was really excited when we were able to bring something like this to Minden. It’s going to be excellent for local artisans,” Raftis said, noting she usually sells her items during the summer at the Haliburton County Farmers Market. “Without this space, my stuff would be sitting in inventory for the next few months.”

Another local name, Tracy Lauzon’s Sugar Bitties, will be providing a variety of sweet treats daily for people to enjoy. Mary said there will also be soups, chili, sandwiches, and hot drinks on offer.

The new space was officially unveiled Nov. 15.

In future, Vanessa said she wants to host workshops at the store, providing vendors with an opportunity to showcase how they do what they do. There will also be themed events in the lead up to Christmas, and for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Easter.

Mary wants to work closely with youth too, providing free space to up-and-coming entrepreneurs. “That will be more of a learning experience for them – how they can market their product, how to sell it,” she said.

For more information, call 705-286-6868.