Rick Wood couldn’t believe his luck this year when he was able to forego his snowshoes while tapping trees on his Carnarvon acreage.

Working alongside wife, Wendy, the Woods have been producing maple syrup on their Peterson Road property since 2014. What started as a small hobby-like operation, using buckets to collect sap from 80 trees in their first year, has grown to a professional system that draws from more than 850 trees and encompasses around seven kilometres of pipelines.

The Woods were one of many local makers to open their doors to the public April 6 and 7 for the County’s annual Maple Fest. They welcomed around 15 people to their property on Saturday, providing tours of their sugar shack and samples of their Colour of Wood syrup.

“It’s always nice to give people a peek behind the curtain, to show them what we do. And it’s a nice way to meet people we don’t know,” Wendy said.

Rick noted this was their best-ever year production-wise. Despite dropping from 1,000 taps to 850 this season, Rick collected 970 litres of syrup – a big increase from the previous high of 797 litres a few years ago.

He credited the season’s mild weather – saying he was fully tapped by the end of January. The Woods had their first boil Feb. 4

It’s a strenuous process getting things started – Rick said he usually spends about 10 days in the bush tapping trees. He must prepare the system, too. Rick said there’s a one-inch mainline traversing his property, which has 46 lateral runs connected. Each of those runs has 20 to 25 taps on it.

“It makes a natural vacuum coming downhill to the shack, which helps with production,” he said.

Once the sap makes it to the shack, it’s stored in a tank out back. Rick then feeds from there into an interior tank, which can hold up to 1,000 litres. He has a reverse osmosis system that separates the water, which usually leaves around 300 litres of sap to boil. He’ll work at least 12 hours a day during maple season.

“It keeps me busy,” he said.

Bob Snider, of Neil Brown’s Farm in Gooderham, said it was business as usual for him this year. He decided to forego the early rush and stick to his usual schedule that sees him tap in early March. He pulls from 300 trees, usually producing around 300 litres annually.

“I don’t try to capture every last bucket… for me, this is a fun family activity come winter. We didn’t see much of a difference,” Brown said.

John Williams, executive director of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association, said “I’ve been hearing generally good things – every year there are people who do well, and people who do not so well. That can be related to the microclimate of the bush, or maybe they missed a weather window early or late in the season.”

County council has backed a request from director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, to enter into partnership with the Haliburton County Homebuilders Association (HCHBA), which is working with Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to boost the trades.

Ovell said that last May, the County and HCHBA hosted their first skilled trades bus tour. They took 30 students to five different locations, highlighting skilled trades job opportunities. They went to Sunbelt Rentals, Holden Truss, a construction site at 75 per cent completion, a finished timber frame home, and a large landscaping site.

“At each site, the employers were provided an opportunity to address the students and discuss the employment options within their sector and the stability of the jobs,” Ovell said. “The program was well received and will be run again in the spring of 2024.”

HCHBA members have also been going to tech, math and science classrooms at the high school. But Ovell said it was noted the association was donating not only time but about $3,000 in materials as well. So, the partners came up with the idea for the County to provide financial support to the HCHBA, to allow them to purchase additional materials, tools, and safety equipment, to enhance the school-based program.

The economic director said the program is covering the fundamentals of framing and drywall installation, and providing an introduction to electrical work.

The County, during its March 27 meeting, committed to the nearly $8,000 in costs.

Coun. Cec Ryall commented, “that’s exciting… university is a great option, but trades are what we need the most.”

Coun. Murray Fearrey added, “in my day, that was called shop, everybody took the course, that was a long time ago. It’s the right thing to do… we need to do more of this sort of thing.”

Ovell said if successful, the partners will look to continue this year, and potentially expand the program in 2025.

HCHBA president Kevin Hodgkinson said the County “stepping up to the plate like they did is huge.” He said it’s important to get more tools and materials into the hands of high school students. Equally, it’s key to get association members into the classroom.

He said as an association, they are aware that a lack of affordable housing is a deterrent to out-of-town tradespeople moving to the Highlands. So, having a presence within the high school lets students know they have an option to stay and work in the County.

“We’re going to have a serious shortage of tradespeople in the coming years as people start to retire. There’s work here.”

Although it’s not until June 8, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School’s prom committee – as well as the folks at Make Dreams Come True, who have been outfitting grads for 10 years – are preparing for this year’s event.

High school teacher Justin Collins said the Grade 12 students who volunteered for this year’s prom committee last September, have a mission.

“Their job is to plan, and fundraise for, prom because prom is a big event, and an expensive event. Our goal every year, since I’ve been here, is to plan for prom tickets to be as cheap as possible,” Collins said.

“I never want a student to not be able to attend prom because of financial reasons. Our goal is to always create the best possible event for the cheapest price possible, so fundraising is our second big thing.”

This year’s prom will again be held at the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre. But what’s new for 2024 is the school is planning a silent auction on Facebook that will run April 25-28 to raise money.

“We were thinking about all the different ways we could fundraise,” Collins said. “We thought, we have a lot of really amazing businesses in the County, and maybe there’s a way to do something that’s mutually beneficial, for the school and the businesses. So, we’ve reached out to some companies, and people have been very generous with donations.”

Collins said a number have already donated, but they are accepting more items. Meanwhile, the committee will continue to hammer out details, such as the theme of this year’s gathering.

“If you have donated, thank you, we love your generosity, we appreciate you. If you have not, there is still time, even when the silent auction has started,” the teacher said. “Let’s get back to having a real prom that celebrates our kids.”

He said the price was $30 a ticket last year, compared to $60-$70 at other schools.

To donate, contact Collins via email at the school: justin. collins@tldsb.on.ca – you can also donate via Jennifer Jackson-Korpela at 705-457-2950 ext. 34000.

For more, go to Haliburton Buy and Sale on Facebook and look for HHSS Prom – Silent Auction Fundraiser.

Make Dreams Come True

Jenn Abbott is into her 11th year of collecting dresses, suits, shoes, jewelry, purses and other items and services to help grads find the perfect look – for free.

Abbott has it down to a science. She continues to run it as she did during COVID. So, instead of going to a popup to try on clothes and accessories, students contact her (via Facebook, email or cell phone) with dress or suit ideas, size and colour. She then goes through her inventory. Arrangements are made to have a few dresses or suits picked up, and tried on, at home. If they don’t work, they come back. If there is a match, Abbott then adds footwear and other accessories. She makes up a gift bag from generous community donations.

She noted she receives items and services from local drug stores, retail outlets, local barbers, nail salons, and a local photographer.

It’s a labour of love for the woman who did not attend her own prom because her family could not afford it.

“Living here, it’s very much needed because it’s hard for people, especially now with the cost of living, to be able to send their child to prom. Without the community, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. It brings me joy to be able to do this for the local grads.

“It’s time they acknowledge all their hard work and their dedication to finishing school. A lot of kids don’t. They drop out and get into the wrong crowd. Kids should be applauded and acknowledged and have their day feel extra special, and that’s why I keep doing what I do.”

Contact Abbott via The Make Dreams Come True Facebook page, email jen_jen_25@hotmail.com or call or text 705286-0906.

Three years after launching a new literacy program at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Trish Dobson is starting to see the fruits of her labour.

The teacher-turned-chief librarian has been working closely with students behind on their reading since the fall of 2021. That was a difficult time at the school, with the COVID19 pandemic forcing kids to spend months learning from behind a screen rather than inside a classroom.

“A lot of kids were struggling – some more than others,” said Dobson, who had experience working with youth on their reading and comprehension through her daughter, who is dyslexic.

After spending years refining her at-home program, Dobson made several breakthroughs with her daughter, who she says can read just fine today. Having seen the impact extra tutoring can have, Dobson pitched opening it to students at the high school.

“I have a lot of empathy for kids who are dyslexic. Now that I understand the issue and what’s going on, I’m better placed to help,” she said. Dobson noted when she was a teacher, she was often confused when kids she knew to be intelligent hit a brick wall with reading.

First, she reached out to kids she knew were struggling as an English teacher. She would work with them one-on-one and in small groups, decoding words and coming up with ways to break them down. She estimates helping a dozen youth consistently across the first two years, and is now working with Grade 9 classes on comprehension.

Dobson said she’s passionate about her work. While a teacher with Trillium Lakelands District School Board since 1998, she believes she’s done her best work since moving to the library.

“You keep track of all the wins, the differences you make – there was one student who came to me in Grade 9 reading at a very low level. I’ve worked with him for almost three years, and while he isn’t reading at grade level, he has progressed massively. He can read his texts now, which is kind of important for a teenager,” she said.

Her program has caught the eye of higherups at TLDSB. Dobson said she started prepping students for the Grade 10 literacy test last year, which paid huge dividends. The Haliburton school’s passing rate climbed from 70 per cent in 2022 to 87 per cent last year.

Dobson was honoured for her contributions with a director’s recognition award at a March TLDSB board meeting.

She was nominated by HHSS principal Jenn Mills, who said, “to call Trish our ‘librarian’ does not encompass the things she has done to reinvent what a librarian can do to impact students’ lives daily… the difference in all students’ reading, comprehension, and confidence over the semesters has been amazing. She is making a real difference.”

Wes Hahn, director of education at TLDSB, thanked Dobson for “going above and beyond to implement innovative solutions” to real problems students are facing in the classroom.

While she admits to being surprised by the award, Dobson said it’s further proof that her program is working. She is assisting colleagues at Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute and Huntsville High School to implement similar initiatives there, while continuing to enhance her offerings in Haliburton.

“I think we’ve created a real culture of literacy here at HHSS and at the library. If we can continue to build on that, and spread it to some of our other communities too, there’s no end to the number of students who stand to benefit,” Dobson said.

Spoiler alert. Keith Stata, the “curmudgeonly and eccentric” owner of Highlands Cinema in Kinmount, admits he is a bit of a “potty mouth” in The Movie Man, which will feature at the April 13 Doc(k) Day in Haliburton.

Matt Finlin’s documentary will cap the film festival at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion with an 8 p.m. screening on Saturday night.

“It’s interesting to note this thing seems to be all over the place,” Stata said of Finlin’s tribute to the house that Keith built.

Director Finlin said after a sleepy start, the reception is now “beyond my expectations.” It made its film festival debut in Santa Barbara. It’s at the Roxy Theatre in Uxbridge this weekend. In addition to Ontario screenings, Finlin said he just found out the doco has been accepted to prestigious festivals in British Columbia and Alberta. He added it’s been acquired in the U.S. by Cargo Films, based in New York City. He’s hoping for a “good theatrical run” in the States, and hopefully streaming.

“I feel very lucky to have this happen, and get Keith’s story out there.” He said at a Kingston screening, the film, and Stata, received a standing ovation.

“I’m so happy that we made this movie. People seem to like it. It’s being seen and the support from the community in Haliburton and the Kawartha area has been so nice,” the director added.

Stata said he is pleased for Finlin, who spent five years working on the documentary.

The Kinmount cat aficionada added, “I think the Roxy Theatre is listing it as ‘language may offend’ and somebody called me ‘an old curmudgeon’ on one of the critic reviews. The ‘eccentric’ part wasn’t so bad, really. It’s kind of fun. So, I’m glad that it’s getting exposure.”

Stata will attend the film screening in Haliburton and join in the question-and-answer session. Finlin will also be there. Stata said he had only agreed to do so in three places (Haliburton, Kingston, and Toronto) even though, “I know an awful lot of theatre owners and they are pressuring me to go, but I don’t have the time.”

Finlin commented, “every screening I go to, someone knows Keith, which is pretty amazing.”

As for the language warning, Stata said, “the problem was he followed me around for five years and after a while I just forgot he was there. There’s a lot of laughter involved in some of the stupid things I said. Like, I’m fighting with the projector. There’s a board that’s worth $10,000 and there’s like 120 connections, so trying to shove the thing in is ridiculous. So, I was a little potty-mouthed at times. Normally if I’m around people, I try to keep my act together.”

Stata said from what he has seen, and heard, the film elicits emotion. “People are crying and laughing. I think he did a good job.”

He added he believes the documentary works because it was filmed during COVID.

“I think if COVID had not happened, I would not have been an interesting enough character to carry the movie. Because of the pandemic, it made it a whole different movie.”

Finlin added, “it’s hard making movies and it’s hard to get it seen. I don’t want to sound like I’m launching the space shuttle. I’m not doing anything really important. But, it’s a lot of grassroots effort, it’s a lot of luck, and, of course, the film has to be good as well. And, all of these things have kind of aligned and I’m just grateful for it.”

For more, go to ThoseOtherMovies.com, ThoseOtherMoviesHaliburton@gmail.com or call 705-4570428.