Members of MP for HaliburtonKawartha Lakes-Brock Jamie Schmale’s team, and MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Laurie Scott, took time out of their schedules to be with seniors June 26.

The annual seniors’ seminar was held at the Haliburton Legion.

Heather Hume, one of the organizers, said it’s “interesting to seniors in the area because it allows them to hear from different people, we call them vendors, they’re not selling anything, we bring in groups that are important to them in their day-to-day life.”

Members of the OPP were on hand to give a presentation on fraud and scams. Community legal clinics were also available. Booths included the Canada Revenue Agency, to talk about tax clinics and filing services. Service Canada, and a number of health organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, and the Alzheimer’s Society, were on hand.

Scott said, “each year, we have engaged with our seniors, offering them a chance to come together with community groups and learn about local programs. For almost 20 years, these seminars have offered great resources to our beloved seniors.”

The County of Haliburton hired a consultant for an IT digital strategy – and what that means for the public is a focus on customers, with a goal of making their experience, “simple, easy, and consistent.”

This will resonate with people paying taxes, getting development approvals, licenses and permits, registering for recreation programs, and simply getting their questions answered.

Perry Group Consulting presented its findings, and recommendations, during a June 26 council meeting.

Ben Perry said, “since COVID 19, when people were forced to use online services, customers have learned and now want online convenience. A significant portion of customers want to interact online. A recent ICCS study shows that over 76 per cent of Canadians have interacted and prefer to interact with their governments.”

He added, “in Haliburton County, where there is a significant portion of second homes, the ability to interact online is considered critically important.”

He noted technology can help municipalities with their work, for example, using connected sensors, or vehicle-mounted cameras, to monitor roadway conditions, water leaks, and even full garbage cans.

Perry said technology, when done right, can make things more efficient and better. It can also be cheaper, with Perry saying face-toface interactions cost $15-30, phone $5 but online $1. The strategy emanated from the services delivery review.

He said good IT can reduce the turnaround on development approvals, speed up the number of building inspections and work orders, and reduce customer complaints. Not investing in IT can waste taxpayer dollars.

In surveying staff, Perry said they are satisfied with devices, connectivity and user support but only 64 per cent are satisfied with current online services, “suggesting a need for better online service delivery and technology training to enhance digital experience and customer service.”

He said while most municipalities are pushing more services online, it’s largely limited to PDF forms. “End-to-end digital processes for planning applications, service requests, and complaints are absent. There’s a need for improvement in social media management, alerts and subscriptions, engagement, and ideation.”

He said they could add five positions across the County (for the five governments and library service) and are not spending enough on IT.

Perry said the challenge is customers expect speed, convenience, and online access, available from anywhere 24/7/365 to municipal services that are on par with their bank, the retailers they deal with, the CRA or renewing a driver’s licence.

He suggested a budget impact of about $240,000 into 2026, which would include hiring two staff at the County, and part-time IT people for Minden Hills and Highlands East.

Warden Liz Danielsen said she was all for, “making life easier and hopefully less expensive for all of our taxpayers.”

Coun. Murray Fearrey asked, with each township at a different stage of its IT, how would they get on the same page? Director of IT, Mike March said, “we pick a solution, and then eventually, when time comes, everybody aligns with it.” Fearrey said if they can be assured there are cost savings in IT spending, it will be an easier sell.

Coun. Bob Carter said “in trying to get all sorts of people to agree on something, as we have witnessed many times in the County, that hasn’t always been successful.”

CAO Gary Dyke said upper management would work to advance change.

Perry said it is, “a bit like herding cats, and people will go off and do their own things, and one of the things we’re looking for from council is an endorsement of this strategy.” He said that would empower senior management to lead the charge. He added there would be regular check-ins for accountability. Dyke suggested quarterly reporting, including variance.

Council adopted the strategy in principle, and Perry will be presenting to the four lower-tier townships

Sixty-two Archie Stouffer Elementary School students crossed the stage June 24 to receive their school diplomas from their Grade 8 teachers.

Principal Mike Gervais said, “it was an amazing year to watch our Grade 8’s grow and thrive. It is with great joy we celebrate their accomplishments this evening.”

Trustee Gary Brohman was unable to attend, so Gervais read his remarks to grads. Brohman honoured them for their hard work and reaching the milestone. “It wasn’t always easy, but here you are. And high school lays ahead, with many new adventures and many new friends.”

His nuggets of wisdom included, “always do your best. Be kind, be humble, and grateful for what you have. Be honest with yourself and others and just do what’s right.”

Vice principal Michelle Kernohan told grads, “life isn’t only about a job or a specific career path. It’s less about what you want to be, and more about who you want to be. The values you want to uphold, the impact you want to make, and the relationships you want to build.”

She added, “your personal values are your compass, guiding you through life, empowering you to make the right decisions and shaping the person you become. Will you be someone who stands up for justice and equality? Will you be known for your kindness and compassion towards others? Will you approach challenges with resilience and determination? The world needs people like you, and I believe that wholeheartedly. Your actions, no matter how small, have the potential to make a significant impact. Please continue to just be good humans. Ultimately, you guys have the power to change the world.”

Grade 8 teachers Joel Vaughan, Angela Pilgrim and Cheryl Patterson did the traditional address of a poem, concluding with, “we sure grow them good in Minden.”

Valedictorian Jadyn Hamilton said he’d had an “amazing” 10 years at ASES. “It has been a phenomenal part of our lives.” He said the only bad time was online learning during the COVID years but, “these last two years have been such a blast.”

He concluded, “I’m so sad I am leaving and am going to miss this place. I will always remember where I started my journey. I will always be a wildcat.”

Students at Wilberforce Elementary School have said goodbye to another school year – and are celebrating the arrival of summer vacation following their graduation ceremony June 26.

The parents of the graduating class of 2024 cheered for their kids while seated in the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre.

The 13, Grade 8 grads were decked out in green graduation gowns and caps, and sat at the front of the room along with the grads from Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7, who were also honoured.

The soon-to-be high school students collected their diplomas, and awards were given out, including for citizenship, academic achievement, and leadership.

Dave Burton, mayor of Highlands East, said, “we look forward to seeing you off to bigger and better things next September”.

Valedictorians Andra Brad and Mia Alden reminisced and talked about looking forward to high school. “We will never forget all the memorable moments. I can’t wait to see all the things we will accomplish in the years to come,” Alden said.

The ceremony ended with a video tribute to the graduating Grade 8 class.

Director of education for Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Wes Hahn, highlighted some “great” events in the 202324 school year in his end-of-year video. They included Day of Paint, Pride month, the second annual Pow Wow and drum social, and the Better Together Arts Showcase.

J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School principal David Waito identified two challenges facing teenagers in society right now.

During his graduation greetings June 25, he said there’d been an increase in teenage loneliness. During adolescence, he said brains rewire for social connection. He said ties to friends should be increasing in importance and depth.

“Yet, so many teenagers these days are reporting feeling more and more lonely. And I think this is worrisome.”

He said technology has created the ability to connect more than ever before, sitting on our couches using social media to interact with people in Australia, Calgary and Ottawa.

“But I think the problem here is I’m sitting on my couch. I’m not with my friends.” He added virtual connections are not a substitute for “the real thing.” He said students have to get off the couch, go out with each other, laugh, make mistakes, and get into a little bit of trouble, “or we are going to get lonely. Because Instagram followers are not really friends.”

He urged them to make their next four years at Hal High about seeing each other in real life… “making real connections with each other…” He said that should help with the second challenge facing teens – school attendance. “High school does have so much to offer. You’ve got to be there, and you have to be involved to make it happen.”

Waito congratulated the class of 2024 saying, “we are all so proud of you.” He lauded their efforts, perseverance, and achievements, and advised them to not just let life happen to them, but work hard to earn their futures.

Valedictorian Luke Gruppe said it had been a fun time but that it had gone by fast. He quoted a famous line from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

He said some of the highlights were a three-day trip to Montreal, a ski trip to Sir Sam’s, and treetop trekking.

He lauded teachers, and went on to say why he thinks JDH is such an “exceptional school.” He noted the closeness to Haliburton village, a nearby high school track, running trails behind the school, and a well-used gym.

However, “what truly defines JDH over these past five years is its people. The students and faculty here have demonstrated kindness, care, and support for one another.”

Kim Williams, superintendent of learning at Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), said she always looks forward to adult education graduations.

She attended McKeck’s Tap & Grill June 26 as the Haliburton Adult and Alternative Education Centre said goodbye to 21 graduates last week.

“Today is your day, as Dr. Seuss said. You have great places you’re all heading off to,” Williams said. “The one thing I love about coming to these graduations is hearing all the personal stories about the journeys you have been on, the challenges you’ve overcome. The skills you have to navigate through life – it’s taken perseverance, you’ve had to stay focused on a goal despite all the other things happening around you… so let me be the first to say, congratulations.”

Lori Sargent, teacher and head admin at the Haliburton site, said she and fellow teacher, Greg Shantz, have gotten to know this year’s graduates well as they worked towards their high school diploma.

While circumstances, often beyond the students’ control, led them to the AAEC program, she credited the graduates for putting in the required work and helping to create a positive atmosphere at the Haliburton campus.

“Acceptance is a big word at our school. Everyone has their own journey, you’ve all had to learn to paddle your own canoe to get here. We accepted one another and celebrated what we’re going to do next,” Sargent said.

Lisa Uuldriks, principal of all TLDSB adult education programming, was also in attendance. She likened the graduates to butterflies – saying they’re now the best versions of themselves, ready to go out into the world.

Several awards were presented – Jazzalynne West received the Joshua Rewa award of distinction, Kayden Colligan the Joshua Rewa memorial post-secondary bursary, Curtis Hoare the math and science award, Tyler Ewing the effort in the workplace award for his placement at Medeba, Elizabeth Lemieux for academic commitment and dedication, and Jason Thomas the work placement award.

Other graduates include Dana Black, Evan Carpenter, Aiden Conlin, Marcus Edwards, Liam Finnie, Hannah Huffman, Tess Husbands, Logan Kennedy, Christian Lemieux, Pharen Richardson, Amelia Somerville, Carter Stamp, Ryan Tanaka, Seth Winstanley, and Jocelyn Winter.

Husbands, reading the graduate address written by Black, who didn’t attend, said her fellow graduates should be proud of their achievements.

“It takes bravery to go against the trend, to seek out what you need to be successful. It’s a gamble – you don’t really know what will work for you, but we all took the leap. My advice is to remember this lesson as you move forward in life,” Husbands said. “You’ve already shown you can go against the tide and do what is best for you.

“We may have faced setbacks or doubts along the way, but those things have gotten us here today… on this journey to success,” she added.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) principal Jenn Mills borrowed from Dr. Seuss when congratulating the Red Hawks’ 2024 graduating class last week, saying, “you will succeed, yes you will indeed, you will move mountains.”

It was a packed house inside the HHSS athletic complex June 27 as the community came together to celebrate 86 graduating students.

Armed with the classic Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Mills reeled off some advice for her now former students – telling them to trust the years of lessons received at HHSS and elsewhere.

“My hope is the lessons you’ve learned in and out of the classroom throughout your elementary and secondary careers will stay with you and help set you on your way… you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose,” Mills said.

She said one of the most important things to achieving success is setting goals – even little ones.

“Some days it might just be getting out of bed, others it’ll be figuring out what to do with your life and how to get there,” Mills said. “Don’t wait for life to happen to you. You need to put the work in and set yourself on a direction to achieve everything you want for yourself.”

Vice principal Martin Gage said it’s OK for graduates to fail, as long as they pick themselves back up and keep trying.

“You’ve reached the top of one mountain. Now it’s time to find another one to climb. Most of you already have some pretty solid plans – entering the workforce, going to college or university, working towards an apprenticeship, or exploring the world. These plans will lead you down different pathways… there’s many ways to make meaningful contributions to the world,” Gage said.

Valedictorian Abi Lewis encouraged her classmates to chase their dreams and stay true to who they are, no matter how tough the path gets. She was one of five students to receive school letters for academic excellence, along with Brody Bolger, Olivia Humphries, Lily Manning and Marley Mariani.

Bolger received the principal’s award for student leadership, with Humphries earning the lieutenant governor’s award for community service. Cameron Level received the governor general’s academic medal. Eight students graduated with specialist high skills majors in hospitality and tourism, with nine earning environment credits, and nine others receiving the extended French certificate. Thirty-four students made the honour roll, for students who graduate with an average mark of 80 per cent or higher.