A 14-year-old from Minden Hills is turning heads on the RAM Rodeo Tour these days.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Grade 9 student, Isla Dobbins, was crowned the Bilby Ranch Youth Barrel Racing year end champion recently. It capped a stellar season for she and horse, Blondy.

The daughter of Eleanor and Chris Dobbins said it all started with pony camp at the age of seven. At South Algonquin Trails, she learned how to ride and got into jumping. She then moved to another barn, the family purchased her first pony, and she continued with jumping.

However, she realized that the thing she loved most with the fast pony was racing across the fields with her mom and her mom’s horse.

“I thought that was the most fun thing ever. I realized the speed and adrenaline is what I’d been craving.”

Isla said they have family out west that were into barrel racing. When she decided to give it a try, she needed a different sort of horse, and Blondy arrived on the scene.

However, Isla said it was not a case of instant success. She said they had a horrible 2022 season.

“It was awful. We were knocking every barrel. It wasn’t really either of our fault. I wasn’t big enough to handle her. So, I wasn’t big enough to push her over and move her to the spot she needed to be in. But, this year, over the winter, I grew a lot so when I brought her back into work, something had immediately changed. Also, my confidence has gotten a lot better than last year. So, she needed that confidence and me to be bigger.”

They had never won a rodeo before and won the whole thing at their first rodeo in the spring. They’ve been regularly winning ever since. Isla competes in the 16 and under, junior, category. She also competes in the National Barrel Horse Association.

“Something had just clicked and we figured everything out,” Isla said.

Looking to the future, she wants to continue with the RAM rodeo circuit to be with friends.

“And then the plan is probably to go out to Alberta for the summers.”

She’s watched the Calgary Stampede, and National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada in November and December, and dreams of competing on those stages one day.

Isla said she has become “a true horse girl…” She doesn’t care if peers think it’s lame. “It’s going to happen whether they like it or not.”

She said she’s grateful for the support of her parents, coach Diane Smullen from Uxbridge, as well as her rodeo friends. “Those girls have really got me to where I am… all the support they give me.”

Dad Chris says, “it’s pretty impressive… we’re happy.”

John Enright is looking forward to spending more time whipping around County trails this winter after scaling back his responsibilities with the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA).

The Kinmount resident completed his third year as president of the club over the summer, passing the baton to Neil Vanderstoop. It marked the end of 30 years of executive volunteerism at clubs across the province.

“Snowmobiling has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I’ve had a great run these past three years as [HCSA] president, but my goal now is to get out and spend a lot more time on my snowmobile, because when you’re president you don’t get to do much of that,” Enright told The Highlander. “I’ve put in my time, now I just want to be one of the boys.”

Enright has had three stints with HCSA, originally joining as a club director in the 1990s. He left in the early 2000s, with his work taking him away from Haliburton County, but returned briefly in 2010. He came home when he retired, serving as president of the club between 2020 and 2023.

“I’m like a bad smell, I just won’t go away,” Enright said.

He oversaw operations during an unprecedented time of struggle with the pandemic but helped spin that negative into an overwhelming positive. HCSA was recognized as Ontario’s top snowmobile club in 2021, something Enright still beams about today.

Now heading into its 52nd season, the HCSA is responsible for grooming and maintaining 370 kilometres of trails that mostly stretch across the west and central parts of the County. The club boasts more than 2,500 members and a reputation that draws riders from across Ontario, Enright said.

Shortly after announcing he would be stepping down, Enright was recognized for his promotion of HCSA by being nominated for an Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) communications award. He beat out the competition, being named as a “worthy winner” by OFSC director Neil Nicholson at a ceremony in Huntsville Sept. 27.

Enright was credited for his years of service, with Nicholson saying he excels at pulling people together during good times and bad for the betterment of snowmobiling in the Highlands. Enright was also commended for his ‘Trail Talk’ segment, which airs weekly on MooseFM during the winter, providing updates on HCSA operations and trail tips for local riders.

“I am truly humbled to have been chosen by my peers as the winner. It’s a wonderful way to wind down 30 years of volunteering,” Enright said. “I still plan to be involved in HCSA, but very much in the background, and hope to do some work provincially to improve the rider experience for people across Ontario.”

Harmony Yoga’s Amanda Rico and Amanda Lytle are back from a “life-changing” 12-day trip to India.

The two returned Oct. 16 from a Her Future Coalition visit to Kolkata. Since 2015, the organization has been working to ensure survivors of trafficking and other genderbased violence, and girls at high-risk, have what they need to remain free, safe and independent. They provide shelter, education and job training.

The United Nations says India is the epicenter of global human trafficking, with 10-18 million of the world’s 40 million enslaved people. And, more than a quarter of Indian and Nepali girls are married by the age of 18, more than anywhere else is the world.

Rico first started fundraising to go to India with the YogaMedicine Seva Foundation in 2018 but shifted her focus to the Her Future Coalition.

Lytle first heard about Rico’s plans when the two were leading a yoga retreat to Mexico last winter. When they got back, Rico found out there was a spot for Lytle on the trip and she went from “zero to 100” beginning to fundraise.

Rico said after COVID and a denied visa, “I was excited. I was ready to go… When you get there and see these women and these children, it’s intense.”

Lytle said their site visits included a fulltime shelter and vocational training centre for women, people with special needs, and students. They also went to a learning centre. They saw spaces where women do vocational training, such as making jewelry, and have access to a library and room for yoga and meditation.

Lytle said after having had so much taken away from them, the job skills give them something back, an opportunity to enter the workforce and make money.

They also visited a resource centre where kids can go 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. while their moms work. It is a place for them to connect with others, be safe, eat, and learn.

Rico explained, “where kids and students from the red-light district have a safe place to be while their mom is working in prostitution.” Without it, children would be in the working rooms, wandering the halls, or put to work.

“It’s horrendous. So, this gives them a place to be safe and connected throughout the day.”

Another site visit was to a joint Her Future Campaign, Kolkata police initiative near the Nepali border, considered a Mecca for human trafficking into India.

Rico said all of the visits were profound. Recalling their first shelter visit, she said they walked in to young girls, dressed up, sitting cross-legged on the floor, preparing to dance for their visitors. She said despite their trip preparation, it was “that moment that hit us.

“When you walk in and see all those faces, their sense of pride in what they were doing and offering to us. They were smiling and laughing. That was contagious. There were moments where you were going to cry and moments where you were smiling with them. You have this reminder that no matter what happened, it wasn’t in their hands, and now they’re in a place where they have opportunity to learn and be educated.”

Lytle said the joy and resilience was moving. After what they had been through, the horrific stories, she said their souls and spirits could have been broken.

“I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude… for us and our experience… for the privilege we have, but for them, they were in a place of love and connection now, for the programming and how that reverberates out into all of these families.”

Rico said the trip was “an absolute emotional roller coaster.” They had nightly debriefings but felt they had enough natural skills to work through their emotions.

While there, the two shared their yoga and meditation skills. “The kids loved it.” Every time they got a thumbs up for a pose, they clapped. During savasana, Rico said “nobody made a peep… just to have time with them on that level in that kind of quiet zone was really touching.”

The Amandas are now brainstorming what might be next.

“I feel at home with it and so lucky I got to go,” Rico said. “All those people that gave money, I can show them photos of these little smiling faces that learned how to make jewelry, how to cook, languages, how to play a musical instrument… to just be able to keep bringing awareness into this community, and global awareness.”

Rails End Gallery & Art Centre is bringing back Art Heaven.

Curator Laurie Jones said the show and sale of original art, craft and vintage items was hugely popular in 2015 and 2016.

“Rails End found loving homes for dozens of pre-loved art objects, at prices well within reach of art-lovers,” she said.

Now, she and her crew are on the hunt for community contributions for the 2023 version to be held next month.

“This year’s organizers are pretty sure there’s some great original art, pottery, craft and vintage jewelry out there waiting for another chance to be seen and appreciated,” Jones said.

Past donations have included soapstone carving, vintage jewelry past its prime, original oil paintings from an estate, framed limited editions, and even a funky sculpture created from railway spikes.

“The sky really is the limit at Art Heaven,” Jones said, adding, “all the better if your contribution comes with a good story.”

She said potential contributors may have recently downsized or are in the midst of refreshing their collection. She added this is an opportunity to help a not-for-profit community art gallery.

Jones said the cut-off date for drop-off is Nov. 11.

Art Heaven opening night is Friday, Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. and the event continues until Dec. 18 during regular gallery hours. All proceeds go to support Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre, located in Haliburton’s vintage rail station.

Contact: Laurie or Michelle at info@ railsendgallery.com or call 705-457-2330 to learn how you and/or your art can become involved in Art Heaven 2023.

There is no end in sight to Ontario’s labour market struggles, according to Peterborough based business consultant Matt Sevino. Last week, he told the County’s top employers they must be prepared to think outside the box to attract new workers.

Speaking at the second annual Haliburton County Business Summit, at Eagle View Event Centre Oct. 18, Sevino provided a bleak outlook, saying he expects labour challenges from the retirement of baby boomers – exacerbated during the COVID19 pandemic – to continue.

“Our population is getting older – there’s too many people leaving the workforce and not enough to replenish it. That’s not going to change overnight,” Sevino said. “It used to be you’d have people lining up competing for jobs, but the reality now is the opposite. Businesses are the ones competing for workers.”

With the federal government ramping up its immigration policies, looking to add one million new residents annually, this provides an opportunity for communities like Haliburton County to tap into a new workforce stream.

“You have to find a way to attract these people,” Sevino said. “Most newcomers settle in urban areas, like the GTA and Vancouver – communities they identify with,” Sevino added. “In places like Brampton, restaurants have signs up saying ‘we’re not taking applications right now’… if you make your community, your workplace more accessible and open to newcomers, you will be more successful.”

In a 2022 survey compiled by the Angus Reid Institute, asking businesses with more than 20 employees about their biggest obstacles to success, 80 per cent said labour shortage and employee burnout was most significant. Seventy-seven per cent had experienced a high turnover of staff in recent years.

While increasing pay has typically been the most successful way to retain employees, Sevino said businesses should consider other methods too.

“Historically, wages have increased two per cent [annually] in a lot of workplaces – we’re now seeing double or triple those numbers… people are generally able to secure more money, with minimum wage and salaries going up, so employers need to look at other ways to separate themselves from the pack,” Sevino said.

A recent Statistics Canada labour force study found people identified working remotely, more opportunities for advancement, and greater appreciation and recognition as key considerations.

Some businesses have had success implementing a four-day work week, Savino said – including in Haliburton County. He believes the practice will become common place in industries that can accommodate it.

He also advocated for greater engagement with youth, saying if would-be employers can connect with people before they enter the workforce, they will have more success. This has typically been done at the post-secondary level, but Sevino advised businesses to broaden their horizons.

“We’re seeing more people hire directly from high school and that can be successful if you’re willing to put in the work and provide training,” Sevino said.

During a Q&A session, one local business owner said the biggest challenges locally are finding housing and transportation for workers. Sevino said some businesses in communities with a strong tourism industry, such as Banff in Alberta and Blue Mountains in Ontario, have been able to attract workers by offering free, short-term temporary housing. He also said a business in Lindsay had seen a drastic uptick in worker retention over the past year after providing a bus.

“There is no one size fits all approach anymore… Identifying issues and roadblocks and finding ways to overcome them [is the key] to success,” Sevino said.

Highlands East resident, Ann Speers, said the township’s noise bylaw is “worthless” if it cannot be enforced “in a particularly egregious circumstance” – in this case, a fourday rave she and neighbours experienced in August.

Speers made a delegation to council’s Oct. 10 meeting, along with another resident, Monique Colliver.

Speers said Phantomfest was held Aug. 25-28 on private land in the Tryfan Forest, off of Tamarack Lake Road, Gooderham.

According to the Phantomfest website, it was a camping, music and arts festival, “filled with uninterrupted soul-satisfying entertainment… a playground for grown-ups. Create. Gyrate. Vibrate. Trust us, we know fun things.”

Four-day passes started at $175-plus. They also charged for transportation, glamping and parking.

The actual location was not divulged until the week of the event, with the website saying it was being held 2.5 hours north east of Toronto on 800 acres of forested land with access to a private lake.

Speers said residents knew the location once they began to hear the music thumping.

This event featured amplified club techno music by several dozen named artists and DJs and it was indeed uninterrupted,” Speers said. “The music that was audible was primarily loud concussive beats, not instrumental or vocal as far as could be discerned at distance.”

She first heard it the afternoon of Aug. 26. She said she went to the lake the morning of Aug. 27 to capture video and audio. A Facebook thread circulated asking if anyone knew about a music festival. She said people reported hearing music two kilometres away, lost sleep, pets were agitated and wildlife disappeared. She said people were outraged and wondered if the operators had gotten a permit. She even visited the site the Sunday afternoon.

Speers said she contacted the township but “bylaw enforcement was understandably unavailable at the weekend. And the municipal website indicates the OPP are responsible for bylaw enforcement when the municipality cannot act.”

She said she called OPP, which told her if the music was still playing after 11 p.m. to contact them again. She did and said she received an incident number at 1:30 a.m. Following up on Monday morning, she said OPP told her the event organizers had a permit and their hands were tied. She filed a Freedom of Information request with the township and said she was advised there was no municipal permit issued for the event.

Speers said the event continued well into Monday night.

She added other issues included: the volume of cars blocking access to private camps; it would have blocked emergency services and there was a risk of fire.

Speers told council, “This cannot happen again… this is an important issue. This is the most egregious example of a noise bylaw violation that I can imagine.” She called for action against the property owner and event organizers. She further called on the township to do something regarding camping at the site.

Colliver said private campsites had been operating for a few years and “that’s always been a concern of everybody around here.” She said they worry about forest fires.

Council received the delegation for information only, which prompted Spears to ask, “any indication when we may hear from council on this matter?”

Mayor Dave Burton said, “at this time, probably no but we’re certainly going to be looking into it.” He added they are hoping to “beef up” bylaw enforcement to have staff available on weekends.

Speers asked if bylaw is not available, what is the plan with OPP. Burton said he had been in contact with OPP about the incident and believes they are still looking into it.

“I hope that your communication with your constituents will be more proactive and transparent in future. I plan to follow this up,” Speers said.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP said on Oct. 17 that OPP received complaints in relation to the event and is working with Highlands East to address concerns. “The municipal bylaws are enforced by the municipality. OPP’s role is to ensure public safety, the protection of property and manage traffic. Public safety remains paramount to the OPP,” they said.

The Highlander attempted to contact the land owner and Phantomfest but neither had replied as of press time Oct. 25.

Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen said discussions about the future development of Stanhope Municipal Airport will be a top priority for council during strategic plan deliberations later this year.

The township has committed to updating a near decade-old land use and development plan for the facility, with a long-term goal of ensuring the airport becomes self-sustaining. It currently runs at an annual operational deficit of approximately $67,000.

Danielsen has long touted the airport as one of Algonquin Highlands’ greatest assets and believes the key to balancing the books is to better promote the space.

“There’s so much more we can do to heighten awareness about the airport and improve how people view it. We need to look at slow, steady progress, increased aviation traffic, hosting more events there,” Danielsen said. “A community hub is something council has always wanted that space to be.”

Most of the township’s other community facilities, such as libraries and recreation halls, also operate at a deficit, the mayor said.

“Unfortunately, the airport is seen as a different kind of animal,” Danielsen said. “Since [our last development plan in 2014], there has been considerable growth and the deficit has been reduced, but with a new plan and some solid marketing of what we have to offer I’m hoping to see some results over the next year.”

The history

The airport came online in 1967, after the township approved the development of a 2,680 ft. grass runway, terminal building, fuel facilities and hangars. In 1989, after receiving funding from the federal and provincial governments, the municipality installed a paved 2,500 ft. runway.

In 2001, the council of the day launched a plan to develop a new 4,000 ft. runway after the airport was identified as one of the strongest opportunities for increased investment in a County of Haliburton economic development marketing plan. Though the township had been approved for a $2 million Build Canada Fund grant to help pay for the new strip, a newly elected council, in 2010, scrapped the project, which had been heavily criticized by the public.

Danielsen was one of the councillors to vote ‘no’ for the new runway. “It just wasn’t proven to be viable,” she said. In July 2013, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced a $12.2 million project for the construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. forestry firefighting headquarters, new hangars, and improved taxiways, strengthening the airport’s financial position. The build was completed in 2016.

More recently, the township has been looking for other ways to generate money at the site and in September 2020, staff tabled a report outlining the cost, around $100,000, to build a new 1,500 square metre access road to service 10 lots council had discussed opening for commercial and industrial opportunities.

In 2021, council committed to updating its plan to ensure the long-term viability of the airport.

Updated focus

Danielsen indicated a new runway will not be immediately considered, though the township has retained the land, and committed to leaving it vacant, for future consideration.

Referencing the 10 developable lots, deputy mayor Jennifer Dailloux said she wants to know there’s a demand from the business sector before the township commits any additional funds.

“If we build it, will they come? Do we know there’s a market for those lots? Or is the fact they’re a little ways away from [Hwy. 35], you can’t get a commercial plane in, or too far from an urban centre a detriment?” Dailloux asked, adding she wants to ensure opening the land directly benefits taxpayers in Algonquin Highlands.

“My worst case scenario would be to develop these lots, put a considerable amount of money in to service them, then a business from Toronto, and another from Minden [benefits]. Do our taxpayers have to pay for that, or should it be more of a County thing?” Dailloux added.

Scott Ovell, the County’s director of economic development, said he would be willing to work with Algonquin Highlands on plans for the airport, but noted he couldn’t make any firm commitments without County council’s approval. He recommended the new plan, which is set to go out for request for proposals in the coming months, include numbers outlining the cost, and return on investment, of any potential project at the airport.

Housing was identified as a major need by coun. Julia Shortreed.

“Say we do develop these lots and businesses come, where will the employees live? Can we have a piece [of the airport property] saved for some kind of housing development?” she wondered. Danielsen suggested there was a parcel, around a couple of acres, on the north side of the property, away from the runway, that could be appropriate for housing.

The mayor believes council needs to take another look at fee structures for hangar rentals, aircraft parking, and runway access to ensure they’re in line with industry standards. The township charges between $42.84 and $83.54 per day for hangar space, with annual lease fees ranging from approximately $2,500 to $10,600. Aircraft parking runs $13.57 per day, $81.40 weekly, $101.50 monthly, and $474.24 yearly. A $564.42 maintenance fee is charged for regular airport runway access.

Coun. Sabrina Richards believes the terminal building is too small, which will be exacerbated by pending accessibility upgrades, due next year. Danielsen agreed.

“The more development that takes place, the more the terminal building needs to be folded into this discussion,” the mayor said.

The United Way kicked off its 2023-24 fundraising campaign Oct. 19 with an event at the Haliburton library.

“We are excited about the upcoming campaign,” co-executive director, Shantal Ingram, said before the reading of a land acknowledgement recognizing that in Haliburton County, they are on Anishinabek land.

Board chair Paul Murphy was unable to attend but said he was proud of the United Way team, which he said embraced change in the past year while delivering great results. One of those changes saw long-time executive director Penny Barton Dyke retire.

“The team continues to support our community with initiatives that include the launch of two new grant streams, their ongoing great work at the (Edwin Binney’s community farm and education centre) supporting our food security initiative, and participating and putting on several events to enhance our presence in the area,” Murphy said.

He added he continued to be motivated by the dedication and generosity of the community, thanking donors, volunteers. agencies and supporters, as well as his board, all “who have made a positive impact on the lives of those in need throughout the past year. “

Looking to the coming year, Murphy said he is excited about the possibilities. “With your continued support and our collective determination, we can build an even stronger, more inclusive community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”

Ingram and Beall talked about how grants for not-for-profits had benefitted the Highlands.

Programs supported in 2022-2023 by the community capacity grant included Big Brothers Big Sisters KLH, providing services for families and connecting them to appropriate community services.

Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents received money for its ‘coming full circle’ program, to engage people who are disenfranchised and or marginalized and disconnected from community and services due a variety of factors.

SIRCH Community Services received funding to support their Community Kitchen program which prepares, packages and freezes nutritious meals and soups for residents most in need. The grant will allow them to fill a funding gap from mid-October until the end of December.

Point in Time also got a matching collaborative grant for the VOICE peer advisory group. And SIRCH received funding to support the Community Kitchen under that grant.

Ingram and Beall noted that since 2015, LCBO stores in Haliburton, Gooderham, Minden and Wilberforce had raised $160,770.45 for children and youth programming in Haliburton County, such as EarlyON Child and Family Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Point in Time Food for Kids.

Other money went to emergency pandemic support for the Central Food Network, Rotary Club of Haliburton, SIRCH and the Minden Community Food Centre. Other agencies benefiting included Point in Time, HHHSF and SIRCH, BBBS and Kawartha Haliburton Victim Services.

In addition, the Edwin Binney’s Community Farm & Education Centre harvested and donated 17,579 lbs of fresh produce, with HHHS and SIRCH receiving 2,607 lbs of fresh produce. “With rising food prices due to excessive increases of inflation, this produce has a financial impact of $7,684 for the community,” Ingram said. Further, the nutritional benefits of these donations equate to nearly 300 meals, she added.

While “honoured” to be named Highlander of the Year, David Zilstra said one of his big takeaways from the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce awards Oct. 20 was the youth entrepreneurial spirit.

“It was inspiring to see,” said The Haliburton Echo and Minden Times publisher, who currently sits on three boards and is a member of the Rotary Club of Haliburton.

Zilstra added he could not count how many hours he had committed to community service over the years, but does it out of love of the Highlands.

“It’s about making this a better place to live, work, and play,” he said.

He congratulated all of the nominees and winners, the young entrepreneurs in particular.

Zilsta is currently on the board of the Haliburton BIA, Highlands Summer Festival and the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation, as well as being an active Rotarian.

“I get involved partially because of my work,” he said, adding, “I have a unique ability in my role at the papers to help other people as well, that I’m not on the boards of.”

For example, he said it was through his connection to former Times publisher, Jack Brezina, that he got involved with the Highlands Summer Festival. In addition to the board, Zilstra enjoys acting. He works with downtown Haliburton businesses so it was a natural to join the BIA board.

I like events, and putting on events, and I’ve been doing that my whole career. Putting on an event from start to finish, I enjoy doing that type of thing, it’s fun, and that’s how I get involved. Same with the hospital foundation, I like to focus on a task that needs to be done, and you just go from there and you roll from item to item.”

The young entrepreneur theme played out throughout the awards ceremony. Jason Bradley of Haliburton County Chiropractic and Rehabilitation said he and partner Kassie Wright had come to cheer on young, new entrepreneurs so were surprised to win the customer first – business award. They were voted best new business and young professional of the year at the 2018 awards.

Rebecca Neave of Beauty Basics by Amy won the customer first-employee award.

The audience heard that when a long-time client could no longer drive to the shop, Neave took it upon herself to pick her up for appointments and drive her back home and that the woman had become family.

Business woman of the year award-winner Brandi Hewson of Kohara + Co told young entrepreneurs in the room she had been working 14 years to get her business to where it is today. She said people had tried to talk her out of it. She wished those just starting out “good luck” and encouraged them “to keep at it.”

But it wasn’t all about the youth movement with veteran Highlands businesspeople also being honoured on the night. For example, Sylvia Holland of Wind in the Willows Spa won the business achievement category. She’s been at it for more than 30 years, telling the audience she first joined the chamber in the early 80s. She said community service is part of her life and it has been rewarding. “I’m very happy and very glad to be able to do what I do.”