Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Juno award winner Jane Bunnett and Maqueque bring their unique Afro-Cuban jazz sound to Haliburton Forest July 21.

Considered one of the top 10 touring bands out there right now, the tight all female jazz band has set themselves apart from the rest, stylistically, by playing and practicing with no shortcuts. “We have put the time in. The vocal components intertwine with the various parts of the compositions,” Bunnett said, “and that creates textures that enhance the music.”

Playing With Fire is the band’s fourth album, which they are touring now. “This was created during COVID,” said Bunnett, “so completely different from the style I am used to, but I am so happy with the results.”

No stranger to these parts, Bunnett was able to get the initial ideas and compositions done while waiting out COVID at her cabin north of Bancroft, “So, the material was sort of written in a very isolated circumstance, without being able to workshop any of the materials with the band, none of the girls were with me,” explained Bunnett.

Getting back into the studio, even if it was only with a few of the band at a time, Bunnett considered a luxury. “Being able to bounce things off someone else, because in the cabin there was just me,” she said. “I had never done anything so fast, only two or three days, but we did, and it was great.”

There have been a few changes in Maqueque since its inception, but Bunnett is proud of the talented young women who have played with them, honed their skills, and moved on to create their own groups.

“That is the great thing about Maqueque, people get more experienced, develop their talents and move on,” she said. “It is the natural process of how things go. I feel like now it is a kind of launchpad to be able to bring new talent through, develop the skills, and give them a chance to get out and play.” She said that everyone really supports each other, “It is a pretty nurturing environment, and it is those types of environments that bring out the best in everybody.”

Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve has something new to offer the community this summer, a clay target shooting range.

They have been working on getting the range ready for the last four years, struggling with COVID, and then having to get licences and approvals to be certified.

They opened the range July 1.

I had a chance to give it a try this past weekend on behalf of The Highlander.

Each group of shooters, from a minimum of two to a maximum of six, has a trained guide with them at all times. Guides have undergone firearms safety training.

Before getting to shoot, the guide takes the group through a list of rules about the range and what to do in certain situations. They show you how to properly handle the firearm and how to load and unload it.

The course has something for everyone, with 10 stations available to try. Each station is a little different, whether it be the height the clay is thrown, the speed, or the angle.

General manager, Tegan Legge, said even more advanced shooters can come to the range and have a fun and challenging time. You can even bring your own gun but it needs to be either a 12-gauge shotgun or a 20-gauge. Each group has to use the ammunition provided by the guide and cannot use their own.

The course is one of a kind, as open to the public, unlike many ranges across Ontario.

I went out with Legge and operations manager Cameron Ferguson. They taught me how to properly handle and shoot the firearm. Each station was unique, with different landscapes and challenges. It takes about four-hours, with the drive into the range, instructions, and actual target shooting.

“Our main goal here is to educate people on the sport and firearms safety,” said Ferguson.

The clays are biodegradable so they don’t affect the environment. They have 100 acres dedicated to the range. They wanted to ensure the surrounding campsites and cottages were not going to be bothered by the sound of gunshot when the course is open.

For more information on Haliburton Forest and the clay target shooting range: haliburtonforest.com/sporting-clays-range.

While a raucous Turtle Guardians’ summer camp goes on outside, it’s quieter and darker inside the headquarters of the Haliburton-based charity as Emma Russett oversees nearly 7,460 turtle eggs.

Stacked in Tupperware containers all around her on a table, with others in incubators behind her, the lead incubator technician is doing her daily checks to ensure the artificial nests housing precious eggs have the correct amount of moisture.

The eggs have been excavated from about 340 nests. Turtle Guardian staffers have found them, or people have called the charity about them.

Founder, Leora Berman, said they are on the lookout for vulnerable nests. “In areas where the nest themselves might be predated (something has eaten eggs), or are more likely to be predated, so major corridors, roadways, and where the hatchlings would have difficulty, so highways, construction zones.”

She noted they have a permit to excavate those nests. It is illegal for the public to do so. “Each nest is treated very carefully, gets a unique identifier, the location is recorded, and then the nest comes here to Emma.”

Russett carefully opens one of the containers to check the condition of the eggs. She finds a moldy one. She has to redo the nest and cleans the egg with a bleach solution using a Q-tip.

The eggs have to be kept at a precise temperature and humidity to make sure that they are equally male and female. Berman says it’s called temperature-sex determination. Generally speaking, cooler means males and warmer means females. With climate change, there’s concern there won’t be any males. If the temperature fluctuates a lot, it tends to be predominately female as well.

A computer near Russett contains spreadsheets with nest codes, turtle type, excavation date, who excavated them and the exact locations of where they are from, the weights of the containers, and other notes, such as if they came from dead mothers. “We also exhume eggs from turtles that have passed,” Berman says.

It’s been an unusual year. Berman says they had a greater response from the public, but they’ve had very few Snapping turtles. This year was a good year for Blanding’s turtle nesting activity but yet they saw at least one dead each day this season, and these are already some of the rarest of turtles seen on roads.

Embryos have eyes

As of July 12, the embryos had eyes, and should have had heartbeats. “And we should be able to see those little guys moving around within the next week in the egg,” Berman says.

She said turtles in the nest will chirp to let each other know it’s time to get out of the nest. They have an egg tooth, similar to birds, to get out.

“It really is a lot of work because they’re all coming out at the same time,” Berman says.

She adds, “it’s like a little miracle to watch all these faces staring at you. It’s just amazing. Especially when these faces are so ancient.”

Legally, and biologically, the hatchlings should go back to where they were found within 10 days because they need to return to their territories to preserve DNA families and they will also be hungry.

If a member of the public has called in a nest, they are invited to be part of the release. It can happen in mines, hospital grounds, resorts, construction sites, beaches, and even restaurant and retail storefronts. This year, nests were also found “floating” due to the dry conditions followed by heavy rains. Hatchlings are released within a kilometre of where they were found.

“It’s a lot of fun releasing them,” Berman said. “We don’t just dump them. We release them so they have a fighting chance.” Berman likes to release them midday when predators are least active. They are placed metres apart from each other as they are a bit smelly and are soft and can be “tasty morsels” to other animals. She said once released, their instinct is to burrow in mud and eat the little bugs at the shores.

Without Turtle Guardians, Berman says where humans live, up to 99 per cent of the nests would be predated. She added .06 per cent would hatch and those hatchlings reach adulthood. “So, we’re increasing the chances six times.”

In essence, the Turtle Guardians are doing all of this work to see 15 turtles survive into adulthood. While shockingly low, Berman says “regardless of the low number, that would be close to the number had humans not colonized, developed and everything to the extent we have and keep doing. So we’re just trying to rebalance the scales. Our road survey program, turtle tunnels and the incubation program are to offset our human footprints.”

Russett takes the responsibility seriously. “I definitely can see that there are little lives inside of all of these. I understand the importance of it because they’re so precious and they take so much time to get to adulthood to create more lives.”

She will be excited to see them hatch and be released. “Probably a little sad to see them go but that’s where they’re meant to be.”

Berman said turtles are “dynamic and surprising, and they have their own personalities, which can even be seen in hatchlings, from shy, to scared, to brave or easygoing, based on body language.

“There’s definitely something magical and very sacred about turtles, so when September comes, it’s like something is missing in my life. You have empty nest syndrome, literally.”

Rails End Gallery curator Laurie Jones was up at 6 a.m. July 20, and at the gallery by 7:30 a.m., to review the final layout of the park for this weekend’s 60th annual Haliburton Art and Craft Festival in Head Lake Park.

She’ll be doing a walkabout to make sure the grounds are in the best possible shape for the arrival of approximately 100 vendors. She’ll then hand the mapping to her registration folks who will start getting the artisans settled in from about noon in time for the July 21 opening.

The festival runs July 21-23.

The curated fair will feature clay, glass, fine woodworking and furniture, fashion, fibre and accessories, fine jewelry and adornments, sculpture, visual art for home, office and cottage, and others defying description, according to Jones.

“It’s really good,” Jones added of the variety of vendors.

Upon reflecting last year on who comes to the festival, Jones said she changed one category name to ‘art for home, office and cottage’ from ‘fibre. “What the heck is fibre already?” she said with a laugh. The name change resonated. “People like that really small, local kind of thing.”

Whatever the name, she said the key is that work is handcrafted.

“That’s really important. We tell everybody this is a celebration of craft, craftsmanship, innovation. Things are interesting, and you have a connection to these objects because you’re dealing directly with the person who made them. That’s the kind of philosophy underpinning it.”

It is also a marketplace. Vendors want to interact with the public, Jones said, and sell.

The weekend is also packed with entertainment.

On July 21, people can learn about ways to minimize waste and live low-impact with Jigsaw Organizing Solutions in the Rails End tent. Then, from noon to 3 p.m., both July 21 and 22, there will be paper craft with Sandra Clarke. Jones said Adeilah Dahlke is going to help people create an interesting journal page.

Razzamataz is presenting Ruben Esguerra with his Latin-infused musical entertainment July 22 at 1 p.m. along with DH3. Jones and company are planning to dress up and play some unconventional instruments, such as large ice cream containers, and pot lids, in a “garbage percussion procession,” as they walk through the park to literally drum up interest for Esguerra’s one hour show at the bandshell.

Razzamataz is also presenting an Esguerra drum workshop for kids, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Haliburton United Church. It’s $10 per child via razzamataz.ca.

There will also be a tai chi demonstration on Saturday.

On July 23, they will take the energy down a notch with a crystal bowl sound experience at the bandshell. Jones encourages people to bring yoga mats.

“So, I think that’s all going to be great,” Jones said.

As always, the gallery curator said the other wild card is weather. Last year, they had to cut the festival short due to lightning. Jones has a phone app that tracks lighting strikes. While July 21 is looking like rain, July 22-23 are shaping up to be perfect summer days.

See more at railsendgallery.com.

The 9th annual Kennisis Lake Art on the Dock took place this past weekend (July 15-16) with more than 32 artists at 13 locations spread out across Kennisis Lake

Many were close, making it accessible for people who wanted to explore by water or land.

On West Shore Road, Janet Parr and Janice Dennis decided to show their artwork together. They make felt art out of wool, using welt felting and needle felting.

“It’s a lot of fun because you can turn something that is just a fibre into anything you like. It’s a very versatile type of art.” Parr said.

It was their first year doing Art on the Dock and they were pleased with the turn out.

On Harrier Road, David Kerr, who has been in the Highlands for more than 50 years, had many of his pieces on display. He has taken to palette knife painting, to capture landscapes. He goes on hikes and canoe paddles across the County to find inspiration.

“I have a fascination for the geology of the area and how the rocks are formed so I try to capture that in my paintings,” Kerr said. It was his third time doing Art on the Dock. And while sales aren’t always the most important part of the event for him, it’s sharing stories with those interested in his paintings.

On West Shore Road, artists Phyllis Walton, Lynda Henry, Barbara Larcina, Nicole Bezdikian, Meghan Joncas, and Brittany Crago came together. Henry said, “we are the art sisters. Some of us get together every year at the Haliburton School of Art and Design and we share and critique each other’s paintings. It has enhanced our art and our friendships and by doing this (Art on the Dock) for four straight years, we have had lots of nice repeat customers.”

For more information on Art on the Dock: klcoa.org/events/art-on-the-dock.

Abbey Gardens gave community members the opportunity to test drive three different electric vehicles along with Plug ‘N Drive July 15.

Plug ‘N Drive is a non-profit organization that helps educate people about electric vehicles. They are sponsored in part by the car manufacturers. Ambassadors talk to people about EV concerns, such as range, that would potentially stop people from purchasing an EV.

Plug ‘N Drive’s ambassador, Dean Van Hooydonk, said, “a lot of these cars go 300500 kilometres today, which makes them very efficient when driving them in and around Haliburton.”

A large crowd turned out for the event this past Saturday.

John Smith, a proud EV owner, said “It’s fantastic, the convenience of being able to charge my car at home and not having to worry about where the next gas station is.”

Smith said he had always driven a pickup truck before purchasing his EV, and it’s easy to find charging stations around Minden and Haliburton.

Wayne Rose took a test drive. “This was my first time driving one (EV) and I was extremely pleased. And the power of it was incredible and has better pickup than my Mustang does.”

Van Hooydonk said there are three levels of charging stations. The most common is level two as it allows for overnight charging. Most people install this at their home. The EV ambassador said energy usage is comparable to a dryer or stove.

Since May of 2019, the Canadian Government has launched an incentive of up to $5,000 off the purchase of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid EV. The average annual savings on fuel and maintenance is around $2,000 per year, Van Hooydonk said. Another benefit of EVs is they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent.

For more information on electric vehicles and Plug ‘N Drive: plugndrive.ca.

Minden Hills council has knocked back a request from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to place a sea can on their property along Hwy. 35.

Staff Sgt. Robert Flindall wrote to council last month seeking an exemption to the township’s bylaws to add the storage device.

“The size of our detachment limits our usable space for storage and we are currently quite full, including a pre-existing shed at the rear of our property,” Staff Sgt. Flindall said. He added the container would not be used for hazardous waste or dangerous goods as they do not allow those items on site.

He said the detachment received approval to purchase the sea container, but needed the township to grant them an exemption.

Mayor Bob Carter said the sea can would be hidden behind the trees at the back of the lot.

“This is generally what’s being done with OPP detachments across the province, that this is the solution that they have come up with.”

Coun. Ivan Ingram said while a great idea, he asked if they even had a bylaw regarding sea cans.

Chief building official, David Rogers, said it was in the zoning bylaw and currently they are not permitted in any zone.

Ingram said, “to my point then, we allow it at the OPP station, then I’m going to go and get one tomorrow and stick it in my back yard for storage. I mean there’s hundreds of them around town which at this point now are probably going to have to be grandfathered in if we ever do get a bylaw in place, and a staff member that actually inspects them.”

Ingram added while he understood what the OPP wanted to do; he didn’t think it was good practice.

Carter said they were not changing a bylaw but making a specific exception for OPP.

“But what about the 100 other people that have them sitting around?” Ingram pressed.

When Carter tried to respond, Ingram interrupted with, “no, we have to deal with it now because we can’t just allow…”

Carter said, “Coun. Ingram, we can’t necessarily change that bylaw right here today. It is something that will be taken up by the planning committee in a proposal put forward. Yes, I do know that we have them out there and we have to deal with them even though they shouldn’t have been there in the first place but this is a specific request and a specific exemption for our police force who have a specific need.”

Coun. Pam Sayne said it was probably the first time someone had asked permission first. “I don’t want to turn this down just because we have so many other sea cans that are built illegally.”

Coun. Tammy McKelvey said it was a bit “embarrassing” that OPP were asking permission for something the township has allowed elsewhere. She suggested a temporary exemption, or institutional zoning.

Carter said, “I think we’re making this way too complicated. I recognize that we have an issue with these and it is something that we have to deal with. But this is our police force who have a particular need. They have a solution that is approved provincially. They did come to ask for permission because they’re recognized the situation. I think we should comply to help them out. This is something they need.

Ingram said while it may meet OPP needs, it does not meet township needs. He also criticized Carter for putting off putting the item on agendas since January.

The request was denied.

The Haliburton Highlands Long-Term Care Coalition is planning to join provincial allies for a massive rally at Queen’s Park in September, but wants people to know the deadline for getting a seat on their rally bus is July 20.

Spokesperson Bonnie Roe said the Ontario Health Coalition and local coalitions such as theirs are “upping the ante” from a citizenled referendum in May.

During that poll, more than 400,000 Ontarians voted ‘no’ to health care privatization. In Haliburton County, there were 30 voting stations and 5,504 votes cast. Roe said only 104 people said ‘yes.’

However, she said the coalition’s work is not over, “as we need to stop the Ford government’s privatization of our local hospitals.”

The Ontario Health Coalition is planning a mass protest at noon on Sept. 20 during the opening day for the fall session of the Ontario Legislature.

“We will fill the lawn with Ontarians from across the province. We need to stand together and raise our voices to let our premier and MPP (Laurie Scott) understand that we are not going away,” she added.

To help with travel, Roe said they are renting a bus from Coach Canada with a washroom.

She asks members of the public to reserve their place on the bus by July 20 with a deposit of $20.

Roe said the cost of a full bus of 56 is $55 per person. A tip for the driver is optional. Some subsidies are available if needed.

She said they would leave at 8 a.m. from the Minden Community Centre and depart Queen’s Park at 2 p.m. People are encouraged to bring beverages, snacks and lunch as eating is not easily accessible.

“This will be a day to show the value of community engagement and democracy,” Roe said.

She added privatization is a reality across Ontario and will continue to close hospitals such as the Minden ER.

“This is our chance once again to represent Haliburton County on this crucial issue. Can we count on you to join us?” Contact Roe at bonnieroe08@gmail.com or 705-457-6579.