County of Haliburton CAO Gary Dyke is on a travelling road show of the townships, trying to sell them on phase two of the services delivery review.

Dyke was at Highlands East council July 15.

“Basically, we’re looking at doing a systematic analysis of what the services are provided at both the County and local level, an evaluation of efficiency, effectively, and responsiveness to community needs, but also the needs of both municipal organizations,” he said.

He added, “a lot of the demands being put on local municipalities now, for even-non jurisdictional items, with respect to what we have to allocate with limited resources; we have to make sure we have the best processes around at our disposal to make sure that is being done in the best way possible and get best value for dollar.”

He stressed it’s not solely a costcutting exercise, or a first step toward amalgamation.

The County began the review of 66 services it, and member townships, provide, in 2022. That review found 12 high priority services that could be targeted for efficiencies. Six of them (solid waste management, fire services, economic development, bylaw enforcement, procurement and IT/digital strategy) were addressed in 2022-23.

Dyke said the ones that were implemented were successful and resulted in increased productivity and more efficient service delivery. Some were not, however, such as councillors rebuking the idea of centralizing solid waste management. The CAO talked about some of the challenges that have bogged the review down, including significant staff changes, an “ambitious” scope of work, and no formal service level agreements between the County and townships in the event of disagreements.

He added that for councils and the public, an agreement “clearly defines the accountability levels on the service delivery itself; how do we score ourselves? how do we report out to councils with respect to success, failure, indifference in what we’re doing? and how it’s impacting the ultimate clients, which are the ratepayers.”

Dyke said phase two has identified engineering, communications, human resources, and planning.

As an example, he said the County provides less engineering support to townships than a lot of their Eastern Ontario counterparts.

“If we do look at modifying how the engineering service is delivered, there’s the potential to increase service levels – that will greatly benefit the local municipalities.”

He said in the last two years, Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills had spent a combined $800,000 to $900,000 hiring engineering consultants. “It’s worth looking at ‘is there a better way for us to provide that service at both levels” by having an in-house engineer or engineering technician?

Dyke added the service delivery review is not static, but open to further analysis as time goes on. He added for efficiency, prior to filling positions, there could be a thorough evaluation to determine the relevancy and value of each role to the organization’s strategic goals.

The next detailed review and analysis would be done by County and township staff, led by CAOs. Final reports on recommended options would be provided to councils by the end of November, in time for the 2026 budget cycle. The ultimate decisions are up to local councils.

Deputy mayor Cec Ryall commented there may be some direct cost savings, but that is not the focus of why they are doing it. He added when it comes to “better bang for the buck, if we do this right, and we get our ducks in a row … and iron out the duplication, we should be able to get a good opportunity to avoid costs down the road.”

For example, “if we’re spending money on consulting fees, we may find that we now have a need for some kind of a staff function that would make that more cost effective, providing work at a lesser dollar.”

The Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC) celebrated Jim Blake’s retirement as a consultant for 25 years by holding a ‘Jim Blake Day’ July 9.

Blake said it all started with the community economic development committee, which had an arts committee subcommittee.

“They started doing a lot of projects, so they started contracting me to help coordinate that. And then, over time, I got involved in the whole operation of HCDC,” he said.

It was hard for him to pick out highlights. He talked about the creation of the Arts Council Haliburton Highlands, and the trails and tours organization, which begat Hike Haliburton. He also assisted in landing the youth hub.

Blake also spoke of the community economic development funding and how a team had “helped, or given start-up money, to around 65 different initiatives or actual organizations, and most of those are still in existence, or a lot of them are still in existence.”

He added, “the accomplishments really are the accomplishments of the community futures development corporation (CFDC).”

Blake said he had a hand in influencing HCDC to focus on the importance of community economic development. “To have a vibrant, sustainable and vital community you need a whole range of things going on, so it’s not just about business. It’s all about the fabric of the community and that covers a broad range, from cultural, to environmental, to social and economic.”

He was part of developing the business incubator, which has now turned into The Link, and is home to the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce, and Arts Council, all of whom he worked with.

He said his biggest takeaway is “all the incredible things that go on in this community and being able to support people to realize those dreams.

“What a fantastic organization, the Haliburton County Development Corporation, with visionary leadership from the board of directors, who are all volunteers, and Andy Campbell for so long and then Patti Tallman. The fact they had the brilliance to set up this whole community economic development function of the corporation to really work on the vibrancy and sustainability of the community.

“When I go to different conferences and those sorts of things, people are just astounded as we’re a fairly small, rural community but our CFDC has done an enormous number of things. It’s not just about the amount of loans to the community, or the size of our investment fund. It’s really people look at what we do in terms of being a catalyst for community economic development and ask us ‘how can we do that’? And part of it is … one of the philosophies is, as opposed to saying this is the way things should happen, it’s really what do the people of the community want to see happen, and then us supporting them in making those things happen. So, it’s not a topdown thing, it’s really a grassroots thing where people are coming to us and saying ‘can you help us do this’ and the answer is almost always yes, we can help you. It may not be with money but it may be with time or advice or linkages or those kinds of things.”

Tallman, HCDC’s executive director, spoke to Blake’s contribution, saying, “his knowledge has been instrumental, but we know where to find him.” She also commented on all of the projects Blake had assisted them in doing, which has literally poured millions of dollars into the community. “He works late into the night all the time … he just never stops. How appropriate is this to have a Jim Blake day?”

Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Klara Oyler told Haliburton Curling Club members that its application for money to renovate the facility’s kitchen “had all the right ingredients.”

Speaking at an unveiling for the new space June 25, Oyler said she was pleased to see the $141,600 gifted by OTF last year had been put to good use.

“This is close to home for me… I always like to say I’m from Haliburton and we can make things happen, so give us the money,” said Oyler, who joined the OTF board in 2015. “I’m really impressed by the transformation… and all you were able to do with the money.”

Club president Wanda Stephen said the upgrade was all about improving accessibility. The kitchen’s footprint has been expanded, with new dishwasher, convection oven, warming oven, fridge and stainless-steel counters. The money also paid for a new freezer in the basement.

She paid tribute to past president Chester Howse, who successfully lobbied for a kitchen and lounge space in the mid-1990s, paving the way for this latest upgrade.

“Chester dared to dream of a kitchen and lounge that could host the masses. He thought the club could entice more people [to join] … and it worked,” Stephen said.

“The last 10 years have been a struggle to adequately plan meals for large groups, we were also held hostage by aging appliances, often holding our breath that the dishwasher and oven would make it through another event.

“Curling clubs in rural Ontario are major hubs for gatherings and community events. We hope the addition… will attract more people to join us in the future,” Stephen said.

The new space and equipment were utilized during the recent Haliburton Home and Cottage Show, with Stephen saying it was a “game-changer.”

In 2024, OTF funded 730 projects across the province to the tune of $105 million, Oyler said. The organization is an agency of and funded by the Ontario government.

MPP Laurie Scott attended the unveiling, thanking OTF for continuing to invest in the Highlands community. She highlighted previous supports for Highlands Opera Studio’s ‘Let’s Make an Opera’ project and legion buildings across the County.

“These things make a big difference to our community… OTF helps many organizations, a lot of places wouldn’t still be in existence, or would be a lot worse off if it wasn’t for Trillium [money],” Scott said.

After bringing in another $55,264 and counting, Roxanne Casey said the recent CanoeFM Radiothon fundraiser was another reminder of how much people value Haliburton County’s community radio station.

The 15th annual event ran July 4-6, with more than 400 individual donors putting their hands into their pocket to support the station. Casey said the dollar amount raised during the three-day on-air celebration was almost identical to last year – no small feat given the ongoing economic uncertainty.

“Truly, we were a little bit worried this year. With all the tariffs and worry those have caused, I thought there was no chance we were going to do this well,” Casey said. “It’s absolutely phenomenal… and tells us that we’re doing something right.”

About 25 volunteers assisted, helping to take in-person and over-the-phone donations and keep listeners entertained.

Casey said her biggest takeaway was how much people appreciated Canoe’s coverage in the days following the March 28 ice storm, which knocked out power to approximately 85 per cent of County residents. The station was able to utilize generators to stay on-air.

“Internet was down for almost everyone, cell reception was offline too, so for a lot of people the radio station was the only way they were keeping on top of things in the initial aftermath,” Casey said. “It was so humbling hearing some of the stories. Sometimes you wonder if you’re just spinning your wheels, are people really listening, but this told me loud and clear people appreciate what we do.”

This year’s live auction featured Toronto Blue Jays tickets, donated by Janis Parker, personalized concerts from County acts Carl Dixon, Drew Allen, and Craig and Maggie Thompson, a kayak donated by Canadian Tire, and a record player donated by Redman Records, raising more than $13,000.

Money was still trickling in July 7 – Casey said one long-time listener stopped by the station and donated up $200, wanting to do his part after being away for the weekend.

While there were a few sizable donations, notably a $5,000 gift from the estate of Patrick Monaghan, host of the station’s popular Buckslide Blues Cruise show from 2016 to 2023, most of the money came in smaller increments.

“It was $5 here, $20 there – it’s not like everyone came in and gave $100 minimum every time. People gave what they could, and we so, so appreciate whatever they could manage,” Casey said.

The money will go into a pot to help sustain ongoing operations, which Casey pegged at about $400,000 this year. She said the station has about 65 active on-air hosts.

“We don’t get money from anybody, no government support, so we have to raise our own funds. We do that through advertising, but it’s events like this that really make a difference,” she said. “We couldn’t do this without our listeners, our businesses who support us every year, all the volunteers who are always more than happy to help.”

In many ways, Highlands resident Karen Koehler believes her life truly began as she approached her forties.

Now 52, the four-time Canadian dryland dog racing champion is living her best life; one jam-packed with continuous learning, movement and outdoor activity inspired by the unlikeliest of rebirths two decades ago.

Koehler was an outdoor educator turned school teacher in 2004 when she and her partner, Rob Sargent, went in search of a four-legged companion. Having recently bought a home in the area, they wanted to expand their family and settled on a retired sled dog.

Even at 10 years old, Robbie was an active dog – Koehler recalls taking him on daily outings immediately after bringing him home. After adding 11-year-old Arctic a year later, she dabbled in competitive racing. Her first event was a skijor race at the Pinestone in 2004.

She built momentum from there, becoming a more competitive racer towards the end of the 2000s. By then, Robbie and Arctic had retired, with Koehler adding Tease and Finney to the family. Together, they dominated local circuits. Wanting to test herself against the best, Koehler cast her gaze up the ladder, competing in her first world championship event in Norway in 2011.

It was an eye-opening experience. Lining up with her powerhouse Alaskan sled dogs, Koehler said she struggled to keep up with the competition. It forced her to look within. The answer, she felt, was taking every aspect within her control to the next level while keeping it fun – focusing on nutrition and physical training, while acquiring more puppies from Norway.

Fast forward to 2025 and Koehler is a celebrated competitor, still turning heads on the track. Away from competition, she’s developed her skills further, becoming a personal trainer and certified health and life coach, while also running activities at Haliburton Forest through Yours Outdoors. She uses her own personal experiences to show people it’s never too late to turn their lives around – providing they put in the work.

“When we get close to 40, people will say things like ‘oh, I can’t do that, I’m too old now’. I’m proof that’s not the case, I’ve had my best years in my 40s and 50s,” Koehler said, noting she’s got two upcoming talks – one at the Dysart et al branch of the Haliburton County Public Library July 30, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and another at the Minden Cultural Centre Aug. 20, from 2-3:30 p.m.

“We were built to move – we have legs, not a mushroom stem… yet 70 per cent of the population is considered sedentary, they make no effort to put activity into their lives,” she said. “For most people, the biggest obstacle they have to overcome is the one in their mind.”

The talks will centre on what Koehler sees as the three keys to unleashing strength, joy and fulfillment in life. Key focuses include finding happiness through movement, adjusting everyday thinking from what she calls fixed mindsets, believing you are stuck where you are, to a growth mindset, where you active move towards your dreams, and strengthening body and character to get there.

She started hosting talks virtually in October, working with several County-based clients to inspire positive developments in everyday life.

“Almost everything in our lives – our relationships, health, fitness, career, spirituality, money, they all go together and what we’re doing in one area influences everything in terms of our habits… but there are ways we can build small confident steps to be the best that we can be.

“Once positive energy starts flowing and people feel stronger, it can be easy to stagnate. So ongoing support is vital – most of us don’t make it past six weeks when trying to make a big change. A lot of times, it can take months to make real change,” Koehler said.

The sessions cost $15 to attend, with proceeds being donated to the Minden Community Food Centre and 4CS Food Bank in Haliburton.

Her message is a simple one – if you want to improve your life and heal, just move.

“The pain you’re feeling in your body, we can learn from. My hands are fine after years of suffering, that’s because I learned what worked for me, how to take care of myself. You just have to figure out what your body needs – it wants to heal and it wants to move, the two together are power,” Koehler said.

For more talk and ticket information, visit bunchomomentum.com. Snacks will be provided by Country Bakery and Minden and Haliburton Foodland.

Calla Jones and Carter Mitchell were named SIRCH’s ‘opportunity looks like hard work’ award winners this year.

The honour recognizes students who not only dedicate themselves to their studies, but also seize the chance to work at a local business while attending school full-time.

“These remarkable individuals have shown that opportunity often comes disguised as hard work – and that the rewards are well worth the effort,” SIRCH’s Laurie McCaig said.

“Through their commitment, our winners have gained real-world experience, developed essential life skills, and built relationships with people from all walks of life. Their journeys have taught them the value of problem-solving, achievement, communication, and helping others. They have learned what it means to expand their horizons, discover their strengths, and contribute to their families and communities.”

The awards were handed out June 25.

Jones, who teaches skiing at Sir Sam’s Skid/Ride said, “I always give lots of praise, especially to kids, and get down on one knee, take off my goggles, and make sure they can see my face – so they feel comfortable and know I’m really there for them. I also try to connect with customers about where they’re from and recommend local businesses.”

Mitchell added, “I love being able to help people. I know that it involves a lot of hard work and dedication to it and I always strive to be there on time, help as many customers as I can, and just all around be a good person while I work.”

The history of the award is that when Stacy McLean, finance manager at SIRCH, married Steve Todd of Todd’s Your Independent, the senior staff and board wanted to do something special.

“Both Stacy and Steve have an incredible work ethic that started young. Both worked while attending school and see it as a valuable way to increase one’s opportunities and options as a high school student,” McCaig said. SIRCH raised $500 and the Todds matched that amount. Jones and Mitchell received $500 each for their positive, can-do attitudes, great customer service, reliability, and excellent communication and problem-solving skills. The awards are for Grade 9-11 students in the County who work a part-time job in customer service and maintain at least a 70 per cent average.

Cori Burden said she and brother, Chad, are still learning about the impact their father, Bill Burden, had on the West Guilford community.

The long-time owner of the West Guilford Shopping Centre will be remembered July 16 at the community centre.

Cori, in an interview with The Highlander, relayed some of the stories she and Chad had heard over the years.

“Your dad gave us free diapers so we could get through the winter when we were going through hard times; your dad fed us until my dad got a job; my dad was an alcoholic, so your dad made sure our family was okay. I even had someone say your dad paid my hydro bill until I got back on my feet. Unbelievable stories,” Cori said.

She added Bill wouldn’t want anybody to know he was helping someone out. “He was very genuine and very private.” The stories have rounded out her understanding of not just her dad, but the man as a store owner and human being.

Sawyer: ‘you couldn’t get a nicer guy’

It all made sense though since Bill had a “love thy neighbour” approach, his daughter added.

Bill was also “all about family; loyalty to family; stick together no matter what, right or wrong, you support and love in any obstacle we come across…we do it together.”

She said the man at home was very much the man in the store; calm, caring, quiet, and not easily angered. She said she and Chad would seek his advice. He would play devil’s advocate but always leave them to make their own decisions.

Cori said Bill also loved family trips, remembering him taking her daughter to Disneyland. “His back was bad but he never complained. He walked around that park with a sore back, holding my daughter’s hand, making sure she had a princess dress.

“What a great life and legacy. He was generous, loved his customers and staff like family and loved my mom (Edna, who passed away in May 2024).”

She added she and Chad will carry on that legacy out of respect for their dad; raising their children to work hard, and love their neighbours.

Burden was named West Guilford citizen of the year in 2017, saying at the time, “I’m proud to be a resident of West Guilford.” Bill and Edna became the fourth proprietors of the iconic store in 1983.

Chris Chumbley started working with Bill in 2002. “If you were a local person that was the place to go to work in the summer,” Chumbley said.

He added Bill would also sell products from local artists and entrepreneurs to help them out. He also assisted with community events.

Reflecting on 23 years at the store, Chumbley said, “working that close with him and having him trust me to do certain things … it’s an honour. I basically learned everything from him. I have done everything in that store at one point or another, all learning from him how to do things.”

He described Bill as “very friendly. He loved a good laugh. It was very rare to see him get cross. He was always happy. Everything was focused on the store, then the kids, and the grandkids, and hockey – everyone stopped in to talk to him about hockey. And he was so happy to see the cottagers come back every year.”

Dysart et al coun. Carm Sawyer said Bill, “was a great friend and he was an absolute gentleman to our community. He did everything he could for anybody. He treated everybody just unbelievably well. For anything at the community centre, he supported. He supported everybody. He’s irreplaceable, that man. He knew every cottager, he knew every local. You couldn’t get a nicer guy.”

A memorial visitation will be held at the West Guilford Community Centre, 1061 Kennisis Lake Rd., West Guilford, on Wednesday, July 16, from noon until the time of tributes at 2 p.m.

Nathan Lowe is asked about the highlight of his recent Make-A-Wish trip to Costa Rica, but the 11-year-old Haliburton boy cannot single out one thing.

“All of it,” he says, while seated at the dining-room table of his home, with older brother Zach, mom Desiree, and dad, Brad.

Nathan was diagnosed with congenital heart disease before he was even born, and has faced more medical challenges than most people do in a lifetime, including undergoing multiple surgeries, and living under constant care.

Nathan’s family applied and were accepted for Make-A-Wish. He got to choose the destination, but the family agreed with his pick. Desiree and Brad had been to Costa Rica before, so Nathan had heard about their adventures. His folks had told him about ziplining and visiting volcanoes.

He was attracted to the rainforest and the wildlife.

“I just thought that would be a cool place to go,” he said.

Desiree said Nathan has wanted to go ziplining for a long time, was keen to see a volcano, and sink into the natural hot springs, as he loves to be in warm water.

It wasn’t Nathan’s first rodeo. He’s been on airplanes before, to Saint Martin, Texas, the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana. However, it was his first time in the cockpit of a WestJet plane, and he and his family’s presence was announced on the flight.

They stayed at Montana De Fuego Hotel and Spa, in La Fortuna village, overlooking the Arenal volcano.

They took a gondola above the rainforest to start a zipline at 70 km/hr for a kilometre.

Family now giving back

They visited sloths. “One, they’re slow,” Nathan said. “Two, they’re cute.” The river hot springs were also a splash. Zach said going with his younger brother and mom and dad on the trip “was a lot of fun, the food was good, too.” Desiree and Brad said Nathan commented many times on the trip, “I can’t believe my wish is coming true.”

Meets hockey heroes

Nathan said his heart condition slows him down, but he doesn’t think about it much. He makes regular visits to clinics at Sick Kids, not just cardiology. He’s on Warfarin.

Brad said, “we have to tell him to pump the brakes for some things. It’s hard for him to understand and hard for us to do, but sometimes the risk isn’t worth the reward.”

He loves hockey but can’t play, though does tai kwon do and jiu-jitsu. He’s a blue belt.

He has also had an opportunity, though MLSE, to visit the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room a couple of times. He has a custom jersey, magnetic stall name tag, and all kinds of memorabilia in his room. On one visit, he handed out signed Nathan Lowe hockey cards to the amusement of the blue and white, and appeared on Leafs Blueprint.

This trip was special, though. Desiree said, “just seeing him walk through all the steps; just getting to do things that he had wanted to do, that he had been wishing for, and it was all coming true. That was amazing.

“He kept saying, ‘I can’t believe this, I’m so happy to be doing this with my family. I can’t believe my dream came true’… all these sentimental, beautiful things. Just knowing it was really impacting him, that meant a lot. He carries it, we all carry it with us … it was really meaningful.”

And, now, the family is giving back. They’ve signed up for some volunteer shifts for Make-a-Wish at the July 18-20 Toronto Honda Indy.

“The fact they have enough money and they’re a nonprofit organization blows my mind,” Nathan says.

Brad adds, “it’s an honour to give back to such an amazing organization. That’s something we’ll never stop; we’ll do it all the time.”

As an independently-operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. They serve children in every community in Canada, and in 50 countries worldwide. Make-A-Wish Canada has granted more than 40,000 wishes over the past 40 years with 2,011 of them last year alone. Learn more at makeawish.ca