This past weekend’s 17th annual HHHS Radiothon raised $33,231.30, surpassing last year’s total.

It ran Aug. 17-18 on 93.5 MooseFM.

Proceeds will go to the HHHS’ Community Support Service transportation needs, helping to ensure residents can get to, and from, life-saving medical appointments.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation executive director Melanie Klodt Wong said the need for transportation within Haliburton County is increasing and the current fleet of vehicles is not meeting the demand.

It consists of a 2015 Mercedes Benz with wheelchair conversion, a 2016 Chevy City Express LT, and a 2018 Dodge Promaster with wheelchair conversion.

Their projected number of passenger trips for April 2023-March 2024 is 10,712. Amanda Rowden, the client service manager and community liaison for Community Support Services, adult day program, assisted living and supportive housing, said, “we have seen a 30 per cent increase in individual appointments since last year, and we are having to tell people we are unable to provide transportation in their time of need.”

HHHS asked community members to participate in the two-day event by either listening, donating, presenting a challenge, or providing a prize to encourage others to pledge their support.

Klodt Wong said, “this is a strong community that supports each other and HHHS Community Support Services does an amazing job of helping people stay in their homes as long as possible, providing vital services for vulnerable seniors and adults.”

For more information on HHHS and the Radiothon visit: hhhs.ca/foundation/events-campaigns/ radiothon.

After a lifetime of writing for national newspapers and radio broadcasts, Ted Morris has seen, done, and written many things over the years. However, one of most personal things he has done is self-publish his first book.

Matching the witty humour in the book, Morris said he, “has never been successful at keeping jobs, and the most recent one I am trying is launching a career as a best-selling author at the age of 88.”

Tales My Father Told Me, (When Mother Wasn’t Home), was written for his adult grandchildren, grandnephews, and grandnieces, and the grown families of his friends “and for people who keep that inner spark of their inner child,” Morris said.

The book is a collection of short stories, classic nursery rhymes and fairytales updated with a grown-up, satirical spin. A journalist, Morris has researched the origins of the tales and intertwines this in his re-telling.

The octogenarian started as a high school correspondent for weekly newspapers. In the 50s and 60s, he worked as a correspondent for The National and was a radio station manager on Baffin Island.

“My self-assigned task was to foster native language broadcasting,” said Morris. “All these folk stories and folktales were on tape. Unfortunately, after I left the station, someone decided they needed more recording tape, so they scrubbed them all. I wept.”

He also worked for The Telegraph as the bureau chief in the Hamilton area and wrote under pseudonyms for The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star while working for the CBC. “Most of the stuff was coming from the Northwest Territories, which was totally unplowed ground at the time. We even set up two pirate radio stations, which were later adopted by the CBC.”

He had some advice for would-be journalists, telling them to get a broad education in the first three years of post-secondary, then do a fourth year of journalism. “Because then you have a better, well-rounded understanding of what you might be writing about, and actually have questions you can ask.”

Morris was also part of the first Canadian team on Mount Everest, a PR manager for Canada, a licensed pilot and ordained minister.

For more than 20 years, he wrote annual Christmas stories for his children. “I would put them out as limited editions, about 100, and send them.” He wrote under the pseudonym, Ted Hébert. The first chapter in his book, Tah-tah, Teddy. Bye-bye, Hébert, is a transition from stories for children to stories for “big people. It is a rite of passage from naivety to pragmatism, a collection of bedtime stories for adults.”

What drew Morris to re-jig nursery rhymes and fairy tales was the idea that originally nursery rhymes were morality plays. “They are also the focus of a lot of what we understand. So much of what we take for granted has been shaped by what we learn in nursery rhymes.” He added they do two things: scare children so they are quiet and go to bed, or the boogeyman will get them, and political satire. “I indulge in a great deal of satire.”

From writing to publishing took about two years. Morris worked with Friesen Press and the book is available online by searching E.R. Morris – Author.

Morris dedicated his book to his wife, Gail, but also his children and grandchildren. He said it’s a gift to them, “because everything you write, whatever it is, has a piece of your voice in it.”

Morris is doing a book signing Aug. 26 from 2-5 p.m. on Esson Lake, at the boat launch, halfway between the narrows and the culvert. The dock will be marked with festive balloons. The rain date is Aug. 27.

Minden Pride’s theme of ‘love is love is love’ was chosen as a positive message to help counter negativity and vitriol that still exists towards 2SLGBTQ+ people, chair Allan Guinan said at a flag-raising ceremony in Minden Aug. 21.

Kicking off a week of celebrations, Guinan said they have had incidents leading up to this week, including vandalism to their main banner and flags, “so, there’s still work to be done and there is a reason that we are here.”

However, he added the committee had been busier than ever since the beginning of April, as invited guests to help promote awareness and acceptance of the queer community across the Highlands. He said the reception had been good, although some people are still “uncomfortable with Pride being as bold as it is in the community.”

One of those outreach efforts was Pride week at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) in June. Guinan said it signaled how far the County has come to create a more positive space for youth who may identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Guinan added there have been many stories in the past of teens and young adults being bullied, and in some cases forced out, by their peers, “and I believe we are making a difference.”

Jenn Mills is the principal of HHSS. Born and raised in the County, she attended the school herself.

“We have come a long way since then and I’m very proud that I get to be part of the continued growth that I witness every day at HHSS and in our community,” she said. She applauded the work of the justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI) leadership team at the school.

“At HHSS, we strive everyday to create an environment where everyone can be who they are and feel safe and supported so they can learn and grow.”

Guinan said this year they are again raising funds for the Rainbow Railroad, an organization that brings queer people at risk out of countries where they are persecuted, imprisoned, “or worse.”

Remaining events this week are:

• Aug. 24 – Drag story time at the Haliburton library 3-4 p.m. Minden Pride trivia night at the Dominion 7-9 p.m. Outdoor movie night at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre at dusk.

• Aug. 25 – Queer comedy night at Sir Sam’s Ski and Bike, 7-9 p.m.

• Aug. 26 – Divas dance party at the Haliburton Legion featuring Dani Doucette at 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 27 – Rainbow Street Festival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and pride river parade noon to 2 p.m. downtown Minden.

While Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) holds its fourth and final town hall meeting in Highlands East the morning of Aug. 26, the Minden Matters committee will be preparing for its Minden Ground Zero rally and hometown concert at the fairgrounds that afternoon.

Patrick Porzuczek said he and his committee invited HHHS acting CEO Veronica Nelson and board chair David O’Brien to attend but they have declined. So, too, has MPP Laurie Scott.

The grassroots organizer said they offered a police escort to hold the town hall at the fairgrounds, saying, “we’ll give you the hour, the hour and a half, to address the crowd, address Minden, address the population, we’re going to have the whole County there. It’s a great way for you to have the exposure, to answer questions, be outside and be a big part of the event.”

HHHS is hosting its town hall from 10-11 a.m. at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre in Wilberforce. They also held one in Algonquin Highlands Aug. 22.

“The purpose of these town halls is to provide you with information regarding the decision to consolidate the emergency departments, hear from you and discuss together how we plan to continue to provide high-quality care for this community for today, and into the future,” Nelson has said. HHHS added questions could be submitted to Lauren Ernst at lernst@hhhs.ca

As for the Minden Matters event this Saturday, Porzuczek said the committee “just wanted to keep the awareness going, and bringing all of rural Ontario to one place. We’re calling Minden ‘ground zero’. We were the first hospital to close in the six weeks.”

He said they had confirmation that Liberal health critic, Dr. Adil Shamji, is attending, as well as Stephanie Bowman, the Liberal MPP for Don Valley West. They are anticipating NDP representation as well.

The event has been advertised across the province. Porzuczek said he expects representatives from Chelsea, Ontario, perhaps Blind River and Sault Ste. Marie, and Ottawa.

In addition to trying to keep momentum to have the ER reopened, the committee wants to bring County residents together. “It’s time for the County, for Haliburton, for Algonquin Highlands, for Kinmount, for Lindsay, for Minden… all the people who have used the hospital to actually get together. Do a little bit of a summer blowout. Do a friendship festival. Talk to each other. Get to know each other,” Porzuczek said.

Ryan Van Lee is performing live at the gathering that is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. The day will feature a by-donation BBQ, refreshments, live music, a DJ and guest speakers.

Back to the politics, Porzuczek said, “it’s about bringing awareness as to what’s happening with the closing of the Minden ER… keeping the pressure up and hopefully something will give in the next couple of months, or couple of years, where the Minden ER comes back to life.

“This event has to happen. If it doesn’t, it looks better for the Ford government. They can say, ‘look, nobody cares. We closed it. They made a ruckus. Nobody cares. Nobody’s turning up’. We can’t cancel it.”

He said their goal is to highlight awareness for people, and to have them share their stories. “And, it’s also for other communities to know that they’re not alone, that what happened to Minden, the way they closed Minden, could happen to them. For them to start standing up and being more involved in their own (health services) boards, their own municipalities, to know exactly what’s going on and start fighting back.”

Porzuczek also attended the Association of Municipalies of Ontario (AMO) conference in London Aug. 21,

See mindenmatters.com for more information.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) acting CEO Veronica Nelson said the Kawartha North Family Health Team’s urgent care clinic in Minden will be moving to full-time hours effective Sept. 30.

During HHHS’ third town hall meeting, at the Stanhope Firefighters Hall in Algonquin Highlands Aug. 22, Nelson said the clinic will operate seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Until then, the plan remains to open on weekends and long weekends.

Nelson said the clinic had been averaging 20 patients a day since opening, with 25 per cent of people being seen having a primary care provider. She said the top three reasons people are going in are injuries (55 visits), ear, nose and throat (53), and other (53).

Nelson added that she is in the process of establishing a Minden community nursing clinic in conjunction with SE Health and Paramed. It would do things such as wound care, IV therapy and catheter care. Nelson said her goal is to have it open seven days a week, 11 hours a day, dependent on referrals. She would like it to operate next to the urgent care clinic.

During the one-hour town hall, Nelson added HHHS had successfully recruited a new human resources manager, with Peter Kronenberg joining the services, while new chief nursing executive and vice president Jennifer Burns-West is also poised to join the organization. She added that since June 1, HHHS has added nine nursing staff, 14 personal support or home support workers and seven people in support and administration.

“So, we’re moving in the right direction,” she said.

Nelson also discussed their efforts to reduce the use of agency nurses, which contributed to a blown-out health care budget. She said the goal is to get it down to 25 per cent by October. She added they “weren’t’ out of the woods yet” as they continue to need some nursing agency support as they recruit staff.

As for the recently approved CT scan machine and CT mammography unit, Nelson said they’d met with Dysart’s chief building official, Karl Korpela, and are now working on architectural and engineering drawings with the intent of putting the project out to tender for construction. They hope to have both units online next spring. They still need to raise funds to pay for the machines.

During a question-and-answer session, Nelson was asked about wait times at Haliburton’s consolidated ER site and said they had gone up in July.

Terry Moore said he’s worked on the labour side of health care for 35 years and asked about the ratio of full-time to part-time staff at HHHS. He said he believed the industry was now 70 per cent part-time, exacerbated by the pandemic. “I think the pandemic heightened a problem that was already there and festering for a long time,” he said.

Nelson did not have an immediate percentage answer but said the organization is trying to strike a balance.

Carolynn Coburn queried the hospital board. She said when it began, it comprised locals and now, she does not recognize many of the board members. She believes what’s needed are “full-time residents, really embedded in the community.” She also called for board members’ biographies to be publicly posted.

Board vice-chair Irene Odell said all but two board members are full-time residents and HHHS’ communications person, Lauren Ernst, said bios will soon be posted on the HHHS website.

One audience member asked why board chair David O’Brien was not at the meeting, and Odell said he had a previous, out of town, engagement. Odell reiterated the decision to close the Minder ER was made by the entire board. She added the executive and board are now working in a “more stabilized and different environment” as opposed to scrambling to avoid ER closures.

The next town hall is Aug. 26 at the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre in Wilberforce from 10-11 a.m.

Algonquin Highlands council has delayed implementing a new license of occupation policy – outlining rules for dock registration on municipal land – until staff have had an opportunity to address questions posed by property owners who say they would be negatively impacted.

The proposal, tabled at a July 20 meeting, would require residents who own property across a municipal road from a waterbody – that has a dock or other infrastructure installed on nearby township land – to register them.

Planner, Sean O’Callaghan, suggested the policy would protect the township from any liability in the event of an accident, while also enabling staff to keep accurate records of the structures.

The original proposal called for residents to pay a $750 application fee up front when applying for a license and provide a $2,500 deposit to cover any potential legal fees. It also required a site plan identifying the location and size of the docks, and proof of insurance – set at $5 million by the township. O’Callaghan recommended licenses be renewed annually for $500.

Local residents James Cooper and Logan Percy addressed council Aug. 17, saying they represent a group of around 230 property owners who are against the policy.

“I would say we’re angry, we’re frustrated, and we’re confused. The anger is stemming from the fact we were not aware of the incoming bylaw. Nobody we’ve talked to had any understanding this was going to happen. Many people were blindsided by this,” Cooper said, noting he learned about it in an article in the July 27 edition of The Highlander.

Policy back in October

“In today’s environment, after finally getting through a pandemic and now being hit by higher costs of living, rising interest rates and higher costs of food, is it really prudent for council to thrust yet another expense on its constituents and make life even more difficult?” Cooper asked.

Policy in works for 10 years

Mayor Liz Danielsen noted the policy has been in the works since 2013 and discussed numerous times by council in the years since. She said the primary intent is to create a level playing field between waterfront properties immediately adjacent to the shoreline and properties across the road from a shoreline.

“While both are zoned shoreline residential by the township, the assessment and resulting taxation is less for properties across the road from the shoreline. Those properties immediately adjacent pay higher taxes and substantial fees to purchase their shoreline and for permits to build structures on that same shoreline,” Danielsen said.

“For many years, property owners [across the road from the water] have developed structures and used them without permit and at no cost, something which is not fair for those immediately adjacent… who follow the required process,” she added.

The license was set to come into effect as of Aug. 17, but has been pushed back.

Questions remain

Percy, who owns property on North Shore Road, said the policy “does not feel right at all.” He feels the fees outlined are too high, and has questioned the need for liability insurance. He also called on O’Callaghan to address whether the public would be permitted to use these docks. He also questioned how disputes over lot lines, and where docks can be located, will be resolved.

He submitted 42 questions to Danielsen, seeking answers before the township proceeds.

“We need time to understand fully what this is,” Percy said.

Cooper feels the fees proposed by Algonquin Highlands are “significantly higher” than those charged in nearby townships, such as Gravenhurst and Muskoka. Gravenhurst charges $853 for all new license of occupation applications, with 10-year licenses costing $1,337. The District of Muskoka charges a $626 application fee and annual renewal fee of $626, while requiring a $219 payment to cover legal fees.

Two of the other townships in Haliburton County all have license of occupation policies. Dysart et al’s is the most expensive, with applicants required to pay a $1,200 deposit on submission and a $500 annual renewal fee, while Minden Hills charges $500 for applications. Highlands East doesn’t have license of occupation fees.

Council makes changes

Danielsen suggested council reduce the required insurance coverage from $5 million to $2 million as a “sign of good faith,” while also scrapping the need to renew the license each year.

Deputy mayor Jennifer Dailloux said she wanted to take a “sober second look” at the policy and list of questions submitted by Percy to see what can be amended to make it more agreeable for locals. Coun. Lisa Barry said public education was important, noting council should take its time and ensure all issues are appropriately addressed before proceeding.

O’Callaghan said he would compile answers and bring a report back to council in October. Asked by CAO Angie Bird if council wanted to wait until next year to bring a revised policy back, Danielsen gave a firm ‘no’.

“We have been putting this off for a long time,” Danielsen said. “We’ve all agreed it’s a step we need to take. There’s a great percentage of our population who believe it’s the right step for us to take… as soon as we have answers to these questions, we need to decide where we’re going to land.”

When loon aficionado Kevin K. Pepper was on the south end of Salerno Lake recently, he noticed a loon in a place they don’t normally frequent this time of year.

He said he knew something was wrong. Paying closer attention, the prolific loon photographer noticed the bird was having mobility issues.

The next day, a couple of kayakers made a similar observation and took some photos of what appeared to be fishing line wrapped around the loon’s wing and foot.

Pepper boated back down and took some images of his own. A daytime rescue was attempted, where you get the loon in a boat, cover it, and remove the line. However, “an injured loon will not allow you to get that close,” he said.

He tapped into loon resources he has in the U.S. He sent an email to them and within 20 minutes got a call from one of them. His contact said it sounded like he had to do a night rescue.

“My contact walked me through the whole procedure, where you shine the light on its eyes and it freezes the loon and you go through the process of capturing it and getting the line off it.

“I thought OK, I’m going to need help with this because it sounds like a big task. I threw out a posting on the Salerno Facebook page, and I listed that I needed a small boat, a trailer and a Musky net and lights.

“All of a sudden, the lake people jumped on this thing, which was awesome.”

Pepper said he pulled together two teams of three people in two small boats. They met Friday night, Aug. 11, at 10 p.m.

He said after about 40 minutes on the water, they located the loon on shore.

“Loons will beach themselves when injured. Like surgeons, the team began to remove the fishing line. We then discovered a fourinch lure up under the wing. Carefully, with delicate hands and tools, the lure was removed. Removing the remainder of the net and lifting the blanket, the loon made its way to the water. It began to swim, dive and actually went up with extended wings. I believe the loon will make a full recovery. There didn’t seem to be any apparent wing damage,” Pepper said.

He said the loon team consisted of Douglas A. Rodger, Larry Wren, Kim Stuart, Robert Landry, Kenneth Clark, McMann Marnie and Robert Stuart. He added they had shore line support from Chris Gillespie and Tom Clarke. “This incredible team worked so well together and the result was a loon was saved.”

Pepper, who loves to photograph the loons of Salerno Lake, said he was “just over the moon. It was just crazy unbelievable.”

He’s been sharing the story and has sent information back to the U.S. teams.

“This is just a good story and it just promotes loon awareness, which we desperately need.”

Fencing was installed and a gravel pathway laid at Head Lake Park earlier this month as workers prepared the site for the arrival of new playground equipment.

Dysart recreation coordinator, Andrea Mueller, said installers arrived in Haliburton Aug. 15 to begin piecing things together. She said work should be complete within two to three weeks.

The new 9,000 sq. ft. facility will feature a jungle gym, log climbing structure, 100-foot zip line, and several standalone play features such as seesaws, a merry-go-round and animal rockers.

There will also be an accessible play area for people with wheelchairs. The existing swing sets will remain in place.

The total cost of the project is almost $589,000, Mueller said, with Dysart township contributing $300,000, Ontario Trillium Foundation providing a $150,000 grant, Haliburton Rotary chipping in $50,000, and the remaining $89,000 coming via community donations.

Mueller said the playground should be finished and open to the public by early September.

Much of the pre-installation work required at the site, such as setting up fencing, preparing the grounds and excavating, was provided at no charge by Haliburton firm Total Site Services Inc.

Two men from southwestern Ontario have been convicted in connection with the illegal hunt of a deer on private property along Duck Lake Road in Minden in the fall of 2018.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) said on Aug. 11 that Luigi Centurami of Stoney Creek pleaded guilty to trespassing and possessing unlawfully killed wildlife. He was fined $6,000.

Steve Tsiliganos, also of Stoney Creek, pleaded guilty to trespassing, possessing a loaded firearm within eight metres of a roadway, and possessing illegally killed wildlife. He was fined $4,000.

The court heard that on Nov. 14, 2018, conservation officers investigated information of a deer that had been shot on private property along Duck Lake Road near the town of Minden.

“It was determined that Centurami and Tsiliganos were travelling together in a pickup truck along the road when Tsiliganos exited the vehicle and shot a white-tailed deer on land that was posted as private property. Both individuals accessed the property to retrieve the deer,” the MNRF said.

The investigation involved a conservation officer canine unit, the OPP Forensic Identification Services, and the Trent University Wildlife DNA Forensics Lab.

Justice of the Peace, Mark Donohue, heard Centurami’s case remotely on May 24, 2023 and Justice of the Peace Herbert Radtke heard the Tsiliganos case remotely on October 17, 2022, both in the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay.

The MNRF said that to report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

County council stamped its approval on a proposed 18-unit apartment complex for downtown Haliburton Aug. 16.

Dysart et al has already given Hot Pond Enterprises Inc. the go-ahead to build at the corner of Maple Avenue and Victoria Street, across the highway from SIRCH Community Services.

The project has been on the books for some time now, with The Highlander last writing about it on July 30, 2021.

This week, County council was dealing with an official plan (OP) amendment, from commercial areas to urban residential areas. Dysart passed its OP amendment at an April 25, 2023 meeting.

In his report, director of planning Steve Stone said, “each building will contain two, one-bedroom suites, two, two-bedroom suites, and two, three-bedroom suites. Two of the suites in each building will be offered as affordable units, while the remaining will be offered at market value.”

He added the development is to be constructed in three phases, with each building being considered a phase. The northernmost building will be constructed first as phase one, and the middle and southernmost buildings will comprise phase two and phase three.

Hot Pond Enterprises corporation president Richard Carson appeared on Zoom during the meeting and said, “I think this project … is an example of how we have an opportunity to lift up the services in Haliburton, in the town itself, for our residents.” 

He added the four lots had been vacant for at least 15 years and their proposal was a solution for a “huge” need for rental housing in the town. “Not condominiums, but housing for families, seniors, professionals working in our community.” 

Stone noted the apartments will be hooked up to town sewer and the developer will have to sink three new wells for water. There will be a new entrance from Victoria Street.

Stone said all technical studies had gone to Dysart et al, and been peer reviewed. The only outstanding piece is Dysart must still do a zoning bylaw amendment. It will address thing such as setbacks, parking spaces, and building height. A holding provision will also be added for other planning approvals, such as site plan control and a drinking water agreement.

In circulating the plan to agencies and the public, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit commented the location, “will enable residents to use active transportation to access essential services, recreation and participate in the community.”

The health unit added it hopes the municipality will collect cash in lieu of park land to pay for improved active transportation infrastructure in this area.

The health unit further noted the apartments will see more walkers in the area, with some key destinations across the road, such as a Chinese restaurant, the SIRCH Bistro, Fleming CREW, County Social Services and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

“A pedestrian crossover is strongly recommended at this location to facilitate safer crossing for residents… a crosswalk was requested at this location several years ago after an individual was struck and killed by a driver,” the health unit said. They want to ensure accessibility and want the developer to consider bike racks for the apartments.

Stone said the build fits nicely with municipal housing policies, as one-third will be affordable housing.

“The development will be located within Haliburton village, which is a service centre containing medical, professional, personal and social services, education, retail commercial and employment opportunities. The central location within the village and proximity to the retail core will also afford occupants of the buildings with opportunities for walking and biking.”