The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School junior boys volleyball team are consolation winners after hosting COSSA Nov. 16 in Haliburton.

The boys lost their first match to Quinte West last Thursday morning. However, they rebounded with a consolation victory over the Kenner Rams in the afternoon, to finish third.

The Thursday morning loss was the team’s only defeat this season.

Coach Justin Collins said COSSA third was an accomplishment although, “there was certainly a feeling of disappointment in the moment. But I know in talking with a lot of the guys after the fact, there was a huge sense of pride in the fact we had a goal of being the Kawartha champions and we were able to achieve that. I think there was a feeling of motivation for next year knowing Kawartha champions is really good but now we have a taste for it and our eyes are certainly open on something bigger.”

The team comprised Graham Backus, Josh Scheffee, Owen Whittaker, Caleb Manning, Chase Winder, Benjamin McMahon, Carlito Barbosa, Hudson Horsley, Atticus Jorritsma, Isaac Borgdorff, Deegan Davison and Fynn Gooley.

Collins said he and co-coach Mike Gaffney set a goal two years ago to lay the foundation for a team that was not going to be “one and done” but that they would build a volleyball program at HHSS that is going to be continuously competitive.

“My hope is that it’s something the community can get behind. I’ve had a lot of really good feedback from people that came up and said ‘we saw that game and my son was watching it, he didn’t know volleyball was so cool’ and stuff like that. There’s some really good messaging there,” Collins said.

The face of sports is changing at HHSS with no football and hockey this year.

With volleyball, Collins said it is not something a lot of athletes have access to. The closest club program is in Peterborough. They have one team member who travels to Barrie to play. “For the majority of our students, this is their only access to volleyball.”

He said he and Gaffney are happy to be building the program. “And my hope is that it sparks something in the school, sparks something in incoming athletes, so playing volleyball at Hal High is something they aspire to be part of.”

The coach said this team has chemistry.

“They are, to say friends, is an understatement. This is a brotherhood. They are together in the halls, they sit together in classes, they eat lunch together. This isn’t a situation where the season ends and I won’t see you again until next September. Some really good bonds have been formed.”

Collins credited the turnaround to a real commitment to work the student athletes have put in. He noted that was not just during the season. He said the Grade 10s have been working since last season ended. “We’ve got guys who have been training all year to get ready for this because they didn’t want another bad season. They wanted to be competitive this year. The guys have worked really hard. We talked about the turnaround, they earned it.”

Collins said he’s proud of the team.

“There’s a sense of unfinished business and I know one through 12 and both coaches are excited to get back to work next year.”

Hudson Horsley goes up high to hit the ball in the consolation final.

After watching his Red Hawks junior girls’ basketball team win a Kawartha A Championship in its first season together, coach Mike Rieger is excited about the future of the program he’s attempting to rebuild.

The team wrapped up its season with an appearance at the COSSA regional championships Nov. 15, losing 36-18 in the semi-finals to the North Hastings Huskies of Bancroft.

While the young Red Hawks went 2-7 on the season, there was plenty to be proud of, Rieger noted – not least the Kawartha A Championship trophy they hoisted on home court Nov. 6, after a 26-15 victory over Peterborough’s Kenner Rams.

“These girls came such a long way in a short period of time. For some of them, it was their first time playing organized basketball,” Rieger said. “They were able to pick up a lot in terms of having three or four different defensive sets to switch between, which was one of our big strengths this year and helped us win that Kawartha title.”

This was the first junior girls’ basketball team in Haliburton for over a decade. Rieger coached a varsity squad last year, made up largely of graduating Grade 12 students, but felt there was enough young talent to establish a program.

With nine committed players – Hazel Jones, Freyja Neumann-Rowe, Haydyn Aggett, Rosie Lafleur, Renato D’Ambrosio, Tory Byrnes, Maddy Walker, Jordanna Jennings, and Jordyn Hurd – the group gathered for practices starting in mid-September. The focus then, Rieger said, was on developing the fundamentals – passing, dribbling, and shooting.

Their opening two games of the season ended in high-scoring defeats to I.E. Weldon and LCVI, two larger schools from Lindsay. Later practices centred on defence, and though the Red Hawks suffered three further defeats – to Peterborough’s Crestwood and Adam Scott Oct. 5, and at home to the Fenelon Falls Falcons Oct. 12, Rieger saw progress.

Their hard work paid off Oct. 26 with a 35-27 win on the road over Kenner, giving the team home advantage for the Kawartha A championship.

Rieger was proud that the team secured wins in both games against the only other ‘A’ designated school in the division. In high school sports, a team is classified as A, AA, or AAA based on the school’s student population.

Now the girls have a base level of skills, Rieger said they’re excited to return next season to test themselves against the better teams.

“With this group being so young, the hope is that having them come back for three, four more years, they will continue building and developing,” Rieger said. “The girls are hungry. They’re looking at the bigger schools and trying to chase them down.”

After seeing the positive feeling the championship win generated throughout the school community, Rieger hopes it can be the catalyst for not only a revitalized basketball program, but a resurgence of all extracurricular sports post-pandemic.

“We know in Haliburton, pretty much for any sport, that it’s a four-year process to get a program up and running. We’re in the early stages here, so to get off on the right foot with a great group of girls and have a really positive result at the end of year one – those are the blocks you need to put together successful programs and foster that sporting spirit.

“Being involved in sports feeds into so many other things these students do. It keeps them organized, builds teamwork and determination. And it’s a great way for them to make new friends, and become a bigger part of the school community,” Rieger added.

Bernie Nicholls brought his billet, Verne Walters, to a Kingston ceremony Nov. 18 – at which the Haliburton County hockey legend saw his number 16 jersey raised to the rafters.

Nicholls played with the Kingston Canadians from 1979-1981, and was one of the team’s most prolific scorers.

He told The Highlander he left home at 16 to join the Canadians, and stayed with the Walters family for two years. He spoke about the importance of hockey billets during the ceremony.

“I really believe that what they do, even in Haliburton with the kids there, I think it’s so important to be put with a good family,” he said.

Nicholls said Walters has suffered a stroke and is in a wheelchair but he and fiancee, Amanda, visited him last year for the first time in a long time. “He was so excited, and we were excited to see him.”

He reminisced how Walters owned a fur store and a drive-in movie theatre.

Now named the Frontenacs, the Kingston club recounted via its website how the West Guilford product scored 36 goals and 79 points in his 1979-80 rookie season. He followed with the greatest season the franchise has ever seen. In 65 games in 198081, Nicholls scored an astonishing 63 goals and 89 assists for a team record 152 points.

Nicholls was selected in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Following the 1980-81 season, he began his pro career.

The talented forward went on to have a 17-year career with the Kings, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.

Nicholls appeared in 1,127 NHL games and had 475 goals and 734 assists for 1,209 points. He is one of only eight players in NHL history to score 70 goals in one season, and one of only six to score 150 points.

Nicholls said he was in Kingston last year doing a book signing for his biography From Flood Lights to Bright Lights, and the Frontenacs approached him about last Saturday night’s event.

“Obviously you’re thrilled to death. It’s a great honour, so I’ve been excited about it,” he said of his reaction.

Nicholls said junior hockey seems like a long time ago but “it was the last step before the NHL. So, when people ask about when I really felt I was going to make it to the NHL, it was when I was playing in Kingston.”

Nicholls appreciated the Canadians’ coaches at the time, but always credits his father for his success.

He said he was probably more excited, than emotional, to see the jersey raised, and it brought back memories.

“I worked at the fur store. I bought either two or three, three-piece suits. I was like 18 years old. You just think you’re really doing it,” he said with a laugh.

“And I bought a full-length wolf coat. Later, I bought a full-length otter coat from him, and that coat did make it to California.”

As the days draw shorter and the weather cools, Highlands residents are preparing themselves for an extended visit from old man winter.

One of the best ways to get ready, according to Haliburton mechanic John Granger, is to ensure your vehicle is wellequipped to handle months of messy weather. He shared some simple steps people can take in the coming weeks to ensure a safe and smooth drive in even the worst conditions.

“The number one recommendation is winter tires. Living in an area like Haliburton County, it’s very important to change over before the snow comes – any time after Thanksgiving is usually what we recommend,” Granger said.

According to the Rubber and Tire Association of Canada, only 69 per cent of drivers nationwide use winter tires. While they can be costly, with new sets starting at around $500 for most sedans and $700 and up for SUVs and trucks, they do work. Studies from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation show that stopping times are decreased by 30 per cent when winter tires are used, compared to all-season or summer tires.

While changing your tires over, Granger said it’s a good idea to inspect your brakes.

“If the pads need replacing, or you need any other work done, it’s a lot easier to do that while the wheels are already off,” he said.

A lot of people will change tires themselves, but Granger said there is a benefit to having them done at a shop.

“You get peace of mind knowing [your vehicle] has been inspected by a professional, who will look at the brakes, retorque the tires and make sure everything is safe,” he said.

Rust control is something mechanics are preaching now too. There is an assortment of products available to protect your vehicles from salts and other harsh commodities found on roads during the winter. Granger uses Rust Check at Haliburton Auto, which offers two options to car owners.

“Winter can be very tough on vehicles, so anything you can do to protect them will probably save you money in the long run. A lot of vehicles have already received some form of rust protection in their lifetime, but it’s important to keep it up,” Granger said.

Crevice areas hidden inside body sections, such as joints, folds, seams, spot welds, springs and trunk lids are places where corrosion starts and spreads from. Granger said these areas are treated with a light spray, while a vehicle’s undercarriage is coated in a thick oil, which stays on longer.

Even if your vehicle is showing signs of rusting, having those areas treated will significantly slow the rusting process.

Other often overlooked maintenance tips, Granger said, is replacing the cabin air filter, lubricating window tracks, ensuring your vehicle’s coolant strength is where it needs to be, and installing a new set of wiper blades.

“I change my blades once a year. Ahead of winter is a good time, because you don’t want to be stuck on the road with bad weather and wiper blades that don’t work properly,” Granger said. “And always make sure your washer fluid is topped up, because again, you don’t want to be stuck without that when your windshield needs cleaning.”

One of Haliburton’s most iconic landmarks will be temporarily out of place in the new year.

The M4 ‘Easy Eight’ Sherman tank on display outside the Haliburton Legion is in desperate need of some TLC according to local legion member, Nick Bryant. He’s been leading the charge to have the vehicle refurbished, recently telling The Highlander the hardware will soon be moved to a property on Gelert Road so it can be fixed.

“It’s an icon of the town and of the legion, but it’s in pretty rough shape,” Bryant said. Arriving in Haliburton from Canadian Forces Base Borden in the early 1970s, the tank has long served as a local memorial to Highlands’ veterans. A plaque installed on the tank reads, “through the mud and the blood to the green fields beyond.”

It is dedicated to all ranks of the Canadian Cavalry and the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps who served in conflicts from 1812 to present day, noting the War of 1812 (1812 to 1814), Canada’s Rebellion (1837 to 1839), the Fenian Raids (1866), the North West Rebellion (1885), the South African War (1899 to 1902), The First World War (1914 to 1918), the Second World War (1939 to 1945), the Korean War (1939 to 1945) and United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts (1956 to present).

The M4 Sherman was constructed by Fisher Tank Company in the 1940s and used predominantly by the U.S. in the Second World War, and by Canadian troops in the Korean War. It was named after Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, a noted American Civil War general.

According to online records, the tank based in Haliburton was constructed in 1945.

Bryant said it’s been about 15 years since the last upgrade. Workers will use a highpressure blaster to clear rust and debris before repainting. The tracks will also be taken off, cleaned up and reinstalled. If all goes to plan, Bryant said the tank should be back in Haliburton by mid-to-late summer.

“After this, it’ll go for another 20 years probably before it needs anything else… it’ll breathe some new life into it, that’s for sure,” Bryant said.

The project is expected to cost around $24,000. Bryant has applied for a $14,000 Canadian War Memorials grant through the federal government. The remaining $10,000 will come from the legion’s coffers, he notes.

Two local companies – Total Site Services and Haliburton Crane Rental are helping the legion with the logistics of moving the 37-ton tank from the downtown.

Bryant said they will likely need a crane to lift it onto a low-bed truck. That will be done in March. Bryant said the legion is accepting donations from anyone in the community who wants to contribute.

“We have committed to doing this… but if someone wanted to step up and help, that would go a long way,” Bryant said. To donate, contact the legion at 705-457-2571.

The Township of Minden Hills announced on Nov. 21 it had hired Cynthia Fletcher as its new chief administrative officer (CAO).

The township said she starts Nov. 23, after an extensive recruitment process.

Mayor Bob Carter said he was “extremely pleased” with the appointment.

“With her leadership, our team will deliver the service that Minden Hills requires as we continue to grow in this changing world,” he said.

Fletcher thanked council for inviting her to join the Minden Hills team.

“I look forward to working with council, our staff, and the community in building a bright future for Minden Hills,” she said.

Fletcher has more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the public and municipal sectors, with multi-level experience in strategic leadership, planning, development, infrastructure, and operational excellence, the township said.

Her professional experience includes the Waterloo Region District School Board, City of Kitchener, City of Peterborough, and Township of Georgian Bluffs. Fletcher is a CAO mentor for the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA), sits on the board for Inclusion Action Ontario and is a past board member with the Ontario Building Envelope Council.

Carter said, “we are fortunate to have Cynthia join our team as the new CAO. Her commitment and strong focus on inspiring service excellence, innovation, collaboration, and workplace cultural development will serve our community well.”

A group of taxpayers with property on Wenona Lake is calling on Dysart et al council to re-establish a policy governing the installation of cell towers in the community, though mayor Murray Fearrey indicates that’s not on the township’s radar.

Yolanda Clark, Phyllis McCulloch, and Jim Taylor say they represent a group of half a dozen other residents who share concerns over the recent process undertaken by Rogers to install a 60-metre cell tower east of Wenona Lake. That project, part of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s cell gap project, was supported by the township in September.

That came as a surprise to the group, who felt they were still in the consultation phase Rogers are required to carry out under federal Innovation Space and Economic Development [ISED] policies.

“We feel this process has been a mess. First, a sign advertising this potential site was put up in the middle of winter when all the seasonal residents are away… Not all residents around Wenona Lake, who would be impacted by this, received letters. So, I’m not sure how people were supposed to know this was even happening,” McCulloch said.

Taylor was one of those, saying he only learned about the application when McCulloch put out a notice to her neighbours.

“It was a shock to me when I found out,” Taylor said.

In March, Dysart council opted to abolish its existing cell tower policy, with coun. Tammy Donaldson commenting, “we might as well not have [one] because we’re not abiding by it anyway.” This came shortly after council approved a 75-metre tower to service Benoir Lake, despite the project contravening a clause in the policy stating towers should be located at least one kilometre from any residence and be camouflaged.

Fearrey recently told The Highlander he felt that policy was outdated and no longer served a purpose.

“It was implemented at a time when tower technology was different, now we hear if a tower isn’t located within close proximity to homes, they’re largely ineffective,” Fearrey said. “The bottom line, for me, is municipalities don’t have much control. It’s ISED that deals with the approval of these sites. We can voice our opinion, but that’s it.

“To me, it doesn’t matter whether Dysart has a policy or not. Others have policies and it doesn’t change anything. I guess it might stall things for a couple of months, but that’s about it,” the mayor added.

Clark feels the municipality has a duty to protect residents, and the natural environment. By reinstating a bylaw, she said the township could mandate that anyone looking to install a tower should have to share plans with all nearby impacted property owners, and ensure thorough public consultation takes place before a project can proceed.

Currently, ISED protocols stipulate only residents located in the surrounding area equal to three times the tower height be notified. There are no requirements to hold in-person or virtual meetings, though concerns are to be received, and responded to, via email.

Lisa Severson, speaking on behalf of EORN, feels the consultation process for this project was completed adequately. She noted consultants working on behalf of Rogers considered concerns brought forward by the public and agreed to move the tower 200 metres back from its original location following extensive discussions.

She noted the application has been forwarded to ISED for consideration.

McCulloch remains unhappy.

“There’s still a lot of unanswered questions,” she said.

Clark added, “collectively, we’d like to see this tower in a different spot. We would like council to really look at this and understand the process has not been followed. This application was made while [Dysart’s policy] was still in place, so why shouldn’t they have to comply?

“More needs to be done to protect our lakes, to protect our environment,” Clark added.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glamor Lake tower

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

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

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

Zoom meeting for tower

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They called on Rogers to consider an alternate location.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He noted they receive no government subsidies.

Bus route running in the red

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to do:

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

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

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

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