Nicholls got joy sharing career with parents

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November 10, 2022

The United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is seeking Highlanders’ help in equipping local organizations with the funds to change lives.

Through the pandemic, the United Way provided SIRCH Community Services, the Rotary Club of Haliburton, the Central Food Network, Minden’s food bank and the Kinmount food bank with thousands of dollars through the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Response fund and Emergency Response fund.

Now, the United Way is seeking more donations as it moves into a post-COVID funding world.

“I was really taken aback by how the United Way identified issues with COVID, specifically with seniors, and then created programs to be able to support other organizations that were already serving that demographic,” said Brian Nash, the new Haliburton County Campaign co-chair, at an Oct. 25 campaign kick-off event.

Nash ran the Rotary Club of Haliburton’s Good Food box, which provided nutritious food to seniors in need.

He saw firsthand how Haliburton County benefits from the United Way’s funding and large community garden in Lindsay.

“Our community last year benefited from about 4,000 pounds of food from that garden,” he said.

The United Way’s donations are redistributed to each donor’s area, meaning donations from Haliburton benefit local food banks or other community groups.

There’s also a new Matching Collaborative Grant, awarding up to $10,000 per project alongside a matching contribution from the applying agency. There’s room for one organization in Haliburton County to receive this grant.

“UWCKL has been promoting collective impact models for a decade and a half,” said Shantal Ingram, co-executive director. “It is important to look at ways to strengthen our community’s impact on poverty and collaboration is necessary… UWCKL is, and will remain, focused on actions to end poverty and help our most vulnerable. We hope to inspire new partners to join and also further match the funds given out to help increase our trajectory of ending poverty.”

The United Way has other grants available too, such as a community capacity grant focused on growing food programs, youth mentorship programs, seniors support services and more.

For Nash, volunteering with the United Way’s fundraising committee is a way of giving back. “This is my way of saying thank you,” he said.

To donate to United Way visit ckl-unitedway.ca.

Tacos and Tunes at Castle? Ya Baby’s!

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November 10, 2022

While the colourful sign has come down and its building sits empty, Haliburton’s popular Mexican eatery, Poquito Loco, hasn’t closed up shop entirely.

While it looks for a new location, it’s teamed up with Castle Cafe and Antiques to keep the tacos alive, serving up food and live music each Friday from 5-9 p.m.

They’ve coined the event “Tacos and Tunes.”

“We’re thankful Castle Antiques stepped up and offered us that space on Friday evenings… so that we can keep the Poquito Loco name going for our regulars to go so they can still get their tacos and burritos,” said owner Claudette Pitre.

The Highland Street business shut down operations this fall due to rising rent.

The first Tacos and Tunes will be Nov. 11.

Co-owner Mark Christiano will be there as one of the Ya Baby’s, playing tunes and inviting the audience to sing along or step up to the mic.

“We want it to be more like ‘come and sing and play with the ‘Baby’s’’. We want it to be more like an open stage. If people want to get up and sing, we can back them up. We want it to be really inclusive.”

The Ya Baby’s, Christiano and Craig Titus, have played for Poquito Loco diners before during the summer and Midnight Madness, and have long been a favourite on stages and patios across the County.

“If I play on somebody else’s patio to build their business, I probably should play on mine,” Christiano said.

They found live music and tacos to be a winning combination.

“It’s a really good addition to the business,” Pitre said. “It was nice for people to come out on Fridays after work and have a taco and a beer and some good music.”

As for a perfect song for Poquito Loco’s Taco night? Christiano paused for a moment and picked a classic Elton John tune, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

For more information on Tacos and Tunes visit Poquito Loco on Facebook.

WWII vet shares his story

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November 10, 2022

Remembrance Day is always a special occasion for Haliburton veteran Cec Bailey. The 98-year-old usually spends the day at the Legion, participating in the march to the Cenotaph on Highland Street.

Above all else, though, he remembers the sacrifices of his many fallen brethren who didn’t make it home from Europe all those years ago.

“It’s an important day,” Bailey said, proudly showing off a poppy stapled to the breast of his jacket. “It means quite a bit to me. To remember and pay my respects.” Bailey was just 15 when the Second World War began in 1939.

He watched as his older brother, Merrill, and several of-age friends enlisted to join the war effort. He would pen letters to those overseas, eager to hear what life was like on the front lines. Four years later, he followed in his brother’s footsteps when signing up for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

He completed basic training in eastern Canada, shipping out from Halifax, Nova Scotia in early 1943. He spent two weeks at sea before arriving in Scotland. From there, he made his way south to Bournemouth, England, where he underwent further training. He was assigned to be a truck driver, shuttling soldiers and equipment around at various airports and landing sites. “I drove a crash tender.

It could be very stressful at times,” Bailey said. He saw action in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. He participated in the D-Day landings, June 6, 1944, in Normandy, an attack that helped turn the tide of the war in favour of the Allied forces.

Bailey said he has a lot of memories from his time during the war, but he doesn’t like to talk about it.

He became animated, though, when recounting Merrill’s experiences. A bomber pilot, Merrill flew in 19 missions before his plane was shot down by the Germans near the Dutch border in 1940.

He was one of only three survivors, though was captured and sent to Poland by the Nazis as a prisoner of war. “My brother was a hero – he helped to save one of his crew following the crash.

He endured a lot; he was a prisoner for five years.” He eventually escaped the camp, making his way back to northern France by foot.

Cec had long believed his brother dead, so it was an emotional moment when the pair reunited shortly after the Nazis surrendered in May 1945. “We didn’t see each other at all while we were in Europe, but we later found out that we were both in Germany at the same time – me stationed at an airport, and him making his way back from Poland,” Bailey said.

While Merrill was discharged and sent home to Canada, Cec still had some fight left in him. He volunteered for action in the Pacific arena and was preparing to ship out for Japan when the Americans dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese soon surrendered, bringing an official end to the war.

Admitting it was nice to return home to Haliburton, Bailey took a job with his father’s lumber business – W. Bailey and Sons. He worked there until his retirement in the 80s. Today, he lives at the Gardens of Haliburton seniors’ residence, overlooking Head Lake. “This is home… I’m glad to be home,” Bailey said.

A cocktail of bugs and beauty at Minden exhibit

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November 10, 2022

Who would buy a painting of a bug next to a pimple? Bob ‘Omar’ Tunnoch wasn’t sure. “A dermatologist,” he mused.

Family feedback, however, convinced the artist to sand down the canvas and paint a decidedly more inviting scene, Metamorphosis Martini

Like most of the oil paintings in Tunnoch’s exhibit, ‘The Muse, under the thin Blue line,’ on display at the Agnes Jamieson Art Gallery in Minden, the painting mixes natural life with human motifs.

A vibrant green caterpillar crawls out of a martini glass across from a fluttering butterfly, all rendered in high realism on a rich red wallpaper background.

“I want to make people aware of what’s out there, and how the whole world is integrated,” Tunnoch said.

Whether it’s a fearsome Cassowary bird, a Belted Kingfisher or a Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, Tunnoch said he’s fascinated by weird and wonderful inhabitants of our natural world.

“A lot of times people will look at [my art] and say ‘how did you ever think to make that up?’ And I explain that no, no, that’s a real thing,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s spurring some interest in them to go further and look at these things.”

Tunnoch combines these creatures with vibrant and unexpected human environments, whether it’s a frog peering from a China cabinet or a satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko hanging above a microphone.

Much of his work also deals with the climate crisis that is posing an increasing threat to wildlife habitats and humans around the world.

“When you start eliminating things, you start eliminating your chances to be a part of this natural world too,” he told a standing-room-only crowd at the exhibit’s opening Nov. 5.

Some who view Tunnoch’s work, such as Minden Hills’ manager of cultural services, Shannon Kelly, who introduced him to the crowd, point out that his compositions seem to raise more questions than they answer. Tunnoch relishes viewers’ interpretations.

“I have an imagination but what people come up with is unbelievable,” he said.

For instance, in one painting, The Last Supper, Conflict of Interest, a Mottled Owl and Frog-Eating Bat swoop toward a RedEyed Tree Frog on a Hercules Beetle. Behind them on a wall hangs a painting reminiscent of da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Only Jesus sits at the table.

“I was at another show, and (visitors) were saying ‘wow’ where are the disciples? They must have left. Maybe it’s because church attendance is falling around the world, maybe that’s what he’s saying.’ No I was just too lazy to paint them” Tunnoch said.

He said he hopes these visual cues and enigmas encourage people to look around more and absorb the species that make earth special.

“Instead of looking at your phone or something, look at the square footage of ground in front of you. There’s more stuff going on there that there ever is in your phone.” he said.

‘The Muse, under the thin Blue line’ is on display at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery until Dec.20.

Societal change sparks smouldering story collection

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November 10, 2022

The strike of a match can change a lot. Sparks can transform houses into rubble, alter the course of life or devastate a community.

In West Guilford, author Janet Trull’s latest collection, Something’s Burning, 22 short stories deal with the past, present and society’s crackling changes. Each fictional story is organized into sections corresponding with a fire’s stages. From tinder – “You can’t start a story without an idea,” writes Trull – to a benevolent or malevolent inferno, to coals that smoulder and threaten to reignite.

Despite the name, the flames in question aren’t literal.

“It’s just an honest look at the way we are trying, right now, to understand the world,” Trull said. She added conversations with people spark ideas for her short stories. The spark leads her to follow the journeys of fictional characters such as Gerda, whose Holocaust experiences change how she views her family’s shifting priorities and fears.

“Her family had to hide under the floorboards when the Nazis came and so now when she looks at the struggles that her grandkids have, or think they have… she can’t really balance those things.”

While fire burns orange and yellow, the themes within Something’s Burning emerge painted in grey rather than black and white.

Gerda muses about whether starving to death because of a lack of food is better than starving to fit into ideals of beauty; Faye drives to Florida to find her dead friend’s lover, not expecting her role in the death to be re-examined; Carol, a teenager, lives with the aftershocks of a sexual assault and male violence, unearthing remnants of the traumatic event in the mud of her family’s farm.

A blaze can quickly turn devastating.

“The twenty-first century speeds ahead with fast-changing ideas about culture and identity,” reads Something’s Burning’s synopsis, “and a new choir of voices are telling their long-suppressed stories. Outdated belief systems are challenged. Society norms and hierarchies’ crumble. But fresh ideas cause tensions between generations, sexes, races and neighbours. The population is at odds about the revised script.”

Trull, who lived in Dunnville, Ontario before making West Guilford her home, has long written about life, culture and belonging in rural towns.

Trull said many of the themes in the book are seen every day in communities such as Haliburton

“I find it fascinating. You can have that barely suppressed anger once you go through town, but, you know, for the most part, people still work hard to be pleasant. And get along and help their neighbours and give gifts to the food bank.”

Something’s Burning, said Trull, often dives into one of life’s conundrums: how we balance joy and suffering.

“When I write essays for [The Haliburton Echo] on, say Thanksgiving, they’re heartwarming and we talk about making the turkey and the pumpkin pies and the grandkids running around,” she said. “But you know, every year there’s an empty seat at the table. So, there’s a sad side to all the stories. The food bank having a fundraiser but then the sad side is that people are hungry in this community. We have to have a food bank. I think there’s joy in life and sadness in life.”

Something’s Burning is published by At Bay Press and was released Nov. 1. It’s available online and in bookstores.

Trull will be hosting a book launch at The Rail’s End Gallery Nov. 12. From 2-4 p.m., speaking about the book at 3 p.m.

Roe honoured for work in long-term care

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November 10, 2022

While she doesn’t do all that she does for awards, local seniors advocate Bonnie Roe admitted it was nice to be recognized by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) last month

The long-time Haliburton resident was one of three recipients of the prestigious Orville Thacker Award, which honours exceptional commitment and contribution to improving quality public health care for the elderly in Ontario. It is awarded annually to a person or organization whose voluntary contributions support the fundamental principles in the Canada Health Act – fairness, equity and compassion.

After founding the Haliburton Highlands Long-Term Care Coalition (HHLTC) in 2020, Roe has spent the past two years fighting for improved care and supports for seniors living in retirement and nursing homes. In its awards package, the OHC described Roe as a “formidable force” in protecting public health care and lobbying against further privatization.

“Receiving this award tells me that our work is recognized locally and provincially, and for that I am extremely grateful,” Roe told The Highlander. “I feel beyond proud that the OHC chose me as a recipient. There are 40 to 50 health coalitions across the province, and so many equally deserving members.”

Roe dedicated her award to local HHLTC members Brigitte Gebauer, Terry Hartwick, Dorothy Owens and Lyn Ritchie.

The coalition recently hosted a public rally in Head Lake Park, calling on the Ontario government to stop privatization of health care. Members are also partnering with another non-profit, the Torontobased Re:Think Policy Change, on a project Roe said is centred on aging together as a community.

“We held three successful community meetings in June across the County and, as well, we are continuing to hold community discussions this fall and into 2023 to create a plan that reflects the views of all residents in Haliburton County about creative options for aging,” she said.

To learn more, visit ltcneedsyou.ca

CUPE calls off strike action, negotiations to resume

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November 10, 2022

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has called off a proposed strike action that would have pulled custodial staff, secretaries, EAs and other educational employees out of Ontario schools.

The news came Nov. 7 after premier Doug Ford promised to repeal Bill 28, legislation that imposed a contract on around 55,000 workers province-wide and banned them from striking, vowing to return to the negotiating table.

CUPE had previously given formal notice to the Ontario government that it intended to strike if a new contract isn’t agreed. Thousands of school workers picketed outside Queen’s Park and MPP offices across the province Nov. 4, forcing many districts to close schools. Trillium Lakelands District School Board said it could not safely operate without CUPE employees, closing all its schools, including in Haliburton County.

Negotiations between the province and CUPE have been ongoing for several months. The union is looking for annual salary increases of 11.7 per cent, while the government has so far offered raises of two per cent annually for workers making less than $40,000 and 1.25 per cent for all others.

Local CUPE 997 president William Campbell said he was encouraged by the Ford government’s U-turn Monday.

“It is a positive step forward for all education workers, students and citizens of Ontario,” Campbell said. “It is my hope that an agreement can be reached that respects the value of the work education workers do, to support students, and the workers who do that work.”

Campbell said CUPE had also tabled proposals to secure additional funding for school boards that could be used to hire additional staff to provide necessary supports to students.

Should negotiations falter, CUPE workers could still go on strike. Laura Walton, president of the CUPE Ontario School Board Council of Unions, told CBC Nov. 7 that a five-day notice would need to be served to the province

A date has not yet been set for the return to the bargaining table.

AH policy solves Bear Lake Road tussle

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November 10, 2022

Algonquin Highlands council has firmed up a one-year trial policy to continue minor maintenance along Bear Lake Road next spring and summer.

At an Oct. 27 special meeting, councillors debated what should fall under the scope of minor maintenance in the new agreement. Adam Thorn, the public works supervisor, noted in a report that, between June 1 and Oct. 31 next year, staff would patrol the road once a month; grade it twice; clean culverts to ensure sufficient water flow; do ditching and brushing; and apply gravel in preparation for annual dust control.

The municipality has done seasonal work on the road for more than 50 years, believing it owned it. However, in July, mayor Carol Moffatt told council the road is owned by the Crown. This came after a monthslong dispute with the Bear Lake Winter Maintenance Association (BLWMA), which was lobbying council to do snow removal. The township had previously denied permission for the association to maintain the road itself, and closed a nearby parking area residents would use to store their vehicles.

The BLWMA got a legal opinion to see what more could be done, and their lawyer found documents the municipality had suggesting the former Sherbourne township assumed ownership of the road in 1971 were wrong. Moffatt apologized, acknowledging the road is not municipally-owned.

Since Algonquin Highlands had been servicing the road for decades, council agreed to work with the BLWMA to come up with a year-round maintenance plan, with the association taking care of winter plowing.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux said she has discussed the new trial policy with residents who brought up some concerns.

“Is there some flexibility [with the dates] outlined? Some residents believe the road will clear faster in the spring having been plowed all winter; could treatment of Bear Lake Road be moved up, potentially, if that’s the case?” she asked.

Thorn told council staff will not treat seasonal roads before mid-May, as heavy equipment could get stuck in boggy conditions. Dailloux also wondered if staff would pave areas of the road to stave off erosion, as has been done in the past, or assist with any felled trees. Thorn said paving is a capital expense, so wouldn’t fall under the scope of minor maintenance, while Moffatt said any kind of extensive maintenance, such as tree removal, would be a “hard no.”

“I think this is a generous compromise. We’ve come so far to get here… this has not been a fun process. There’s been a lot of terrible things said, accusations levelled at staff, unkind words said about council. I’m not prepared to give an inch. I’m prepared to do what’s outlined here, and that’s it,” Moffatt said.

She noted staff will keep an itemized account of costs during the trial and report back late next year.

‘Rogue’ ATV riders threaten trail system

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November 10, 2022