J. Douglas Hodgson graduates celebrate growth

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July 7, 2022

J. Douglas Hodgson Gr. 8 valedictorian Sadie EvansFockler said the school has been “such a place of growth” for her and her fellow graduates as they prepare for the short walk to Hal high in September.

She delivered an address to the standing-room-only crowd celebrating the school’s Gr. 8 graduates June 28.

“Here’s where we grew from little kids to young adults. Watching all of us grow and change has been such an amazing experience,” Evans-Fockler said.

“All the memories made, the friends that we’ve had, the good times we’ve had, all went by in a blink of an eye.”

As she and her classmates crossed the stage, Gr. 8 teachers read what each student hoped to achieve in 10 years.

Goals included home ownership, working their dream jobs, writing books, furthering their education and playing professional sports.

Principal David Waito urged the class not to settle for a “new normal” after COVID-19. “The new normal has a lulling sound to it. I hope we can do better than settle for the way things were.”

He urged the class to boldly pursue knowledge, social justice and change in their futures. Trustee Gary Brohman’s remarks were read in his absence. He told the graduates to “do what is right, each and every day,” and to remember their parents can give good advice. “Wisdom is a gift your parents have a ton of, believe it or not,” Brohman said.

Archie Stouffer Wildcats roar one last time in Minden

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 7, 2022

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Thirty-nine Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES) students crossed the stage to get their Gr. 8 diplomas June 24 – releasing their final Wildcats’ roar as they go onto high school in the fall.

Valedictorian Grace Allder led that final roar as she made her address to a packed gymnasium of families and friends.

She recalled that for some students, elementary school had been a 10-year journey at ASES, learning academic and life lessons. She said they could not have done that without their parents and teachers.

Referencing COVID-19, which impacted parts of three of those years, she added, “I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t always fun. But we got through it, didn’t we?”

Haliburton trustee Gary Brohman said the perseverance and hard work, especially during the pandemic, has prepared the students for the move on to Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. “If you beat COVID you can beat anything.”

He urged them to be unafraid of high school, which he said is a great place replete with sports, music and drama. “Really, really get involved.”

He also stressed the importance of going to class. He also encouraged them to speak up positively to make a difference in the world.

He added they should use their parents’ wisdom and not shut them out during their four years at HHSS, since they are on their children’s sides with unconditional love and want the best for them. Brohman acknowledged past and current administration for their leadership through COVID, and teachers for their “unwavering commitment to excellence in education, and character education” despite all of the challenges the pandemic threw at them. “You did it, congratulations.”

He also paid tribute to sports staff. Outgoing principal, Dawn Sudsbury, urged grads to “dream big.” She said with desire, commitment and worth ethic they could achieve all of their dreams.”

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School recognizes ‘special’ graduating class

By

Mike Baker

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July 7, 2022

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There were smiles and tears at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School as 99 graduating students closed the book on high school. An in-person ceremony June 29 celebrated the achievements of the class of 2022.

Hundreds watched as their loved ones made the ceremonial walk across the stage, ushering in a new period of their lives.

Former HHSS principal and current Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) trustee Gary Brohman told graduates they embodied tenacity and commitment.

“These past four years in this high school proved what you’re capable of,” Brohman said, before encouraging graduates to chase their dreams and never be afraid to stand up for what it right.

“Use your voice. These are troubled times. We’re counting on you to make [the world] a better place.” Principal Chris Boulay was excited to host an in-person graduation for the first time in three years.

He commended the students for pivoting throughout COVID-19. Boulay expressed confidence this year’s class will go on to do “great and wonderful things.” “This evening is one for you to cherish forever… I’m very proud of you and all that you have achieved,” Boulay said. “Remember always to model our credo of respect, commitment and responsibility each and every day. We are counting on you. You represent our future. You are changemakers.” Forty-eight students received awards and scholarships, with eight garnering school letters, recognizing academic excellence.

Courtney Semach was given the Governor General’s Academic Medal, while Grace Hudson received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Community Service.

Valedictorian Ethan Volochkov recalled his first-ever class at high school and writing it off because he had gym.

“I remember thinking how grueling the next four years were sure to be, but to my absolute delight they have been some of the best of my life,” Volochkov said. “All of us have been through a lot the past few years… We made it through COVID, online school, education cuts and so much more. “We stayed strong through the trials and tribulations… When the world took things from you, instead of giving in, you adapted, you evolved and made a bad situation a little more bearable. We should all be proud of that,” Volochkov said.

“Whether you have a 10-year plan, or absolutely zero concept of what life outside high school will look like, I know we will all go on to do great things, whatever they may be. It is time to spread our wings and fly, Red Hawks.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services faces temporary ER closures

By

Mike Baker

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July 7, 2022

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Despite previously committing to keeping the Haliburton and Minden emergency departments open throughout the summer, Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is prepping the community on what to do in the event of a sudden, temporary closure.

The organization has launched a new ‘StopCheck-Go’ campaign urging Highlanders to gauge whether their illness or injury warrants emergency care, and check if their closest emergency room is open before driving there. The announcement comes in the midst of ongoing staff shortages, which have worsened in recent weeks.

“Although HHHS has worked extremely hard to ensure we have adequate staffing for the start of a busy summer, we continue to be in a precarious position with both nursing and physician shifts,” said HHHS spokesperson Lauren Hunter. “We are working day and night to cover every shift… However, if a shift remains unfilled and there is no back-up coverage available, HHHS would be forced to temporarily close the emergency department until the next full shift.”

HHHS president and CEO Carolyn Plummer had previously stated the community would be given at least 24 hours’ notice before any closure, but Hunter indicated that may not be possible under present circumstances.

Currently, agency staff are covering around 54 per cent of all nursing shifts at HHHS’ emergency departments.

Physician support is also being provided through the Health Force Ontario Emergency Department Locum Program.

“Part of our challenge is that critical staffing shortages are happening across the province, which means many facilities are relying on the same agency nurses and physicians to fill shifts,” Hunter said.

HHHS needs to hire between eight and 12 full-time nurses to support its emergency departments without assistance from agency staff.

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott said she is continuing to work closely with HHHS to find solutions to local health care staffing shortages.

“Since March 2020, our government has implemented emergency programs that have added over 8,600 health care professionals to the health care system.

We are also launching the Learn and Stay program for post-secondary students who enrol in priority programs such as nursing, adding hundreds of positions to medical schools over the next five years, and making it easier for foreign-trained medical professionals to overcome employment barriers,” Scott said.

Highlands resident Trevor Chaulk said the staffing shortages are having a major impact on patient care, with increased wait times leaving many frustrated.

Visiting the Haliburton emergency department June 30 with his 15-year-old son, who had badly cut his hand while at work, Chaulk said the pair were left to wait for five hours before being seen by a doctor. “We got there around eight o’clock in the evening, and we weren’t called into the back room until after 1 a.m. It was fairly busy, but I’ve lived in this community for 15 years and have never had to wait that long before,” Chaulk said.

“Usually, you’re in and out in two hours, maybe three hours tops.”

Chaulk’s son was eventually treated and the pair left at around 2:30 a.m. “I just feel bad for the nurses and the doctors, because they’re run off their feet,” Chaulk said. Hunter said ER wait times fluctuate significantly based on patient volumes, especially in light of recent staff shortages

Based on information from April to June, the average ER wait time at HHHS is two hours and 20 minutes.

Hunter said the length of time spent in the ER from start to finish can vary from one to seven hours depending on the severity of the issue. To avoid potentially lengthy waits, Hunter said HHHS is encouraging injured patients to stop and consider whether self-care can address their concerns.

If emergency care is needed, patients should check the status of their nearest emergency room by calling 705-457-1392 ext. 2555, or by visiting hhhs.ca. In the event of a local emergency department closure, Hunter said paramedics will transport patients to the nearest emergency care centre, which could be Lindsay, Bracebridge, Bancroft, Peterborough or Huntsville.

Chaulk feels any decision to close the emergency departments in Haliburton or Minden could bring disastrous consequences.

“All this is going to do is create confusion and chaos, and possibly increase the risk of something bad happening… When someone is in need of emergency assistance, the last thing they’re going to think to do is check to see if their local hospital is open,” Chaulk said. “A lot of people in our community live remotely and so could be driving a fair way to get to the hospital, only to find out it’s closed… In medical care, sometimes every minute counts.”

Hunter said if anyone is facing an emergency situation, they should call 911 and seek immediate assistance. (with files from Sam Gillett).

Highlands Summer Festival debuts The Sound of Music

By

Sam Gillett

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July 7, 2022

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SG-sound of music-5- — Maria (Ali Powell) sings through the storm with the von Trapp kids. From left: Liesl (River Christiano), Kurt (Duncan Evans-Fockler), Gretl (Penelope Irvine), Friedrich (Tommy Griffith), Brigitta (Brooke Gooley) and Marta (Evelyn Mardus)

The Haliburton Highlands are alive with The Sound of Music. The Highland Summer
Festival’s (HSF) production of the classic premiered July 4 at the Northern Lights Performing
Arts Pavilion.

The premiere performance in HSF’s 2022 season is delivered by a largely local
cast and crew.

Ali Powell leads the way as Maria, a nun-to-be who ends up as the musical
governess to the von Trapp brood.

Brigitta (Brooke
Gooley) and Kurt (Duncan Evans-Fockler) dance at the von Trapp house

Tim Clarke also stars as the brooding Baron von Trapp
and Rita Jackson as Mother Abbess.

River Christiano navigates young adulthood as the fiercely independent Liesl deals with an ill-fated romance with Rolf (Mac Rider). Duncan Evans-Fockler and Tommy Griffith play the gruff but sensitive boys Kurt and Friedrich, while Brooke Gooley plays wise-beyond-her-years Brigitta.

Evelyn Mardus and PenelopeIrvine also star as Marta and Gretl.

Directed by Scot Denton, The Sound of Music plays until July 14. Tickets are available online at highlandsummerfestival.ca, over the phone at 705-
457-9933 or in-person before the show.

Don’t settle for the new normal

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 7, 2022

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I often glance at Highlanders from a year ago when I start to think about what we might write for each weekly edition. Looking at the archive from July 8, 2021, I saw we covered a slew of virtual graduations in the County.
Because we were in the throes of COVID19, Sam and I watched Zoom presentations prepared by some of the schools. And in that paper, we could only run file photos and submitted head shots.
It was a bit anti-climatic for the grads, their families and friends, and for us. This year was quite a different and much more pleasant experience. Our high school, three elementary schools, and adult ed grads got to receive their diplomas in person for the first time since 2019. They had their names read, were able to walk on stage, be handed that coveted piece of paper, and pose for photos amid the cheers of onlookers.
It felt completely and utterly normal and so long-awaited. History will reflect on what this crop of learners had to endure during a global pandemic. We can glean some information from the past, when schools were interrupted
by world wars, for example. The Science Table COVID-19 Advisory for Ontario talks about the significant education disruptions in Ontario, such as school closures, multiple models of educational provision and gaps in support for some students.
There have been physical, mental health and safety harms for students and children. Some modelling has even suggested long-term impacts on students’ lifetime earnings and the national economy. One local example is the impact on reading rates at Archie Stouffer ES.
Outgoing principal Dawn Sudsbury told the TLDSB school board last year that only 15 per cent of Gr. 2-8 learners were reading at grade level. However, as the Science Table points out, existing information and analysis can inform strategies to minimize farther pandemic disruptions to children’s education and development.
Incoming principal Mike Gervais said they have been tackling the issue and now more than 50 per cent of learners have already closed the gap in a three-year program.
On the plus-side, I would argue that these students may be more adaptable to change and resilient than graduating classes of the past.
They have had to adapt in ways that may position them well for the future. In his address to students, JDH principal Dave Waito encouraged grads not to settle for a new normal. He said the new normal has a lulling sound to it.
Rather, he encouraged them to do better than settle for the way things were. He urged the class to boldly pursue knowledge, social justice and change in their futures. It’s a message for all of us, really, as we emerge from this two-year-long ordeal. It isn’t enough to return to our new normal.
We, too, should want more. And that means things such as valuing our human connections, doing our bit to help an ailing planet, and above all not taking anything for granted anymore

Book lovers unite at upcoming showcase: Bookapalooza seeks exhibitors

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Sam Gillett

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July 5, 2022

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Organizers of the first “Bookapalooza” in Minden Hills are putting out the call for exhibitors and sponsors to take part in the celebration of the written word.

The event, scheduled for Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature Lions club book readings, a chance to network with authors and publishers and a chat with famed Canadian author Terry Fallis.

Kathy Purc, who is a member of the Haliburton Reads and Writes committee, said she’s excited to bring the writing community together again. “We lost out of the opportunity to do personal readings and that sort of thing,” said Purc, who is an author.

It’s organized in partnership between Haliburton Reads & Writes (part of The Arts Council Haliburton Highlands), the Haliburton and District Lions Club, Haliburton County Public Library and Hike Haliburton. She said becoming an exhibitor is a chance to get face-to-face with readers and writers.

While book sellers will be there too, Purc knows of book designers and authors who will rent a table too. There is an option to rent full tables and half tables.

The organizers are also looking for businesses or individuals to sponsor parts of the event, such as the “Big Book Club” when Fallis will chat with attendees.

Shoreline damage has been done

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 5, 2022

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Irreparable damage is being done to Haliburton County’s shorelines.

In part, it is because County councillors have so far failed to pass a shoreline preservation bylaw.

While the County does have a shoreline tree preservation bylaw, it has its shortcomings.

That is abundantly clear when reading a report from the County’s forestry conservation and County weed inspector, James Rogers.

He reported a 60 per cent increase in activity in 2021.

That jump on 2020 included 82 site visits, six fines, 12 stop work orders and nine work orders for restoration. Let’s compare that to 2020 when there were 52 site visits, five fines, and three stop work orders.

Since it’s a complaints-driven bylaw, this is stuff that was reported by a third-party to the County. Someone noticed a clear-cut, for example, and called it in. After the fact. We can only speculate it is a tip of the iceberg situation. How many infractions are occurring that are not reported?

By then, the damage is done. As Rogers told council, it can decades for corrupted shorelines to be returned to a natural state.

And while the County has the power to stop work, issue fines and demand restoration, there are issues with that, too.

Rogers said they have the potential in the bylaw to issue fines of $100,000, but that has never happened. The norm is $930 fines although there can be costly re-plantings.

However, there are not enough staff to catch the bad apples and the fines are hardly a deterrent to someone determined to cut trees to ensure a million-dollar view to go along with that million-dollar cottage. It’s become a case of cut first, hope you don’t get caught, if you do, pay a paltry fine, fix it up and be done with it.

Shame.

In his report, Rogers also pointed out a number of things that are not covered under the existing bylaw. They include what he called unsightly shoreline issues, such as trees cleared for new buildings and trees taken down in the past that were not reported. Then there’s landscaping work that may not involve the removal of trees, but does take out greenery, shrubs and other vegetation. It looks ugly from the lake. And it compromises lake health.

Rogers said it also means that someone going by on our many lakes and rivers might presume the bylaw is not being enforced. We can understand where that perception comes from.

Coun. Andrea Roberts asked if it was a case of people not knowing about the existing bylaw or ignoring it. Rogers suggested it was both.

No one talked about the fact people might be trying to rush work through in anticipation of a future shoreline preservation bylaw.

Warden Liz Danielsen told Rogers he has a challenging job especially around tree preservation and it was looking like County council wasn’t going to make his job any easier as it looks like it won’t be passing the shoreline preservation bylaw this term.

She’s right. Council is making Rogers’ job extremely hard. But far worse, its decision to delay the file is causing decades-long damage to our shorelines, and consequently, our lake health.

HHHS urges Highlanders to ‘stop-check-go’ during critical staff shortages

By

Sam Gillett

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June 30, 2022

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The Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) have launched an awareness campaign focused on possible emergency department closures.

The “Stop-Check-Go” initiative urges highlanders to guage whether their illness or injury warrants emegency care, and check if their closest emergency room is open before driving there.

The announcement comes in the midst of ongoing staff shortages which may result in temporary emergency room closures in Haliburton or Minden.

In a June 30 media HHHS said injured patients should “‘stop’ and consider whether self-care can address their concerns (such as twisted ankles, sunburns, minor abrasions, or seasonal allergies) or if they should call their doctor for an appointment (such as for chronic symptoms, back pain, or stomach aches).”

If emergency room care is needed, HHHS said patients should check the status of their nearest emergency room by calling the services’ phone line at 705-457-1392 and using extension 2555 or visiting the HHSS website or social media accounts before going to the nearest emergency room.

Anyone seriously injured should still call 911 for medical attention.

If either Haliburton or Minden’s emergency department is temporarily closed, paramedics will take patients to the nearest emergency care centre.

“HHHS continues its work to retain its current staff, recruit new staff members, and explore all options and alternatives to deliver high-quality care to residents, cottagers, and visitors of Haliburton County and the surrounding area,” stated HHHS.

As of June 30, there have been no temporary emergency room closures in 2022.

Camexicanus strums in summer

By

Sam Gillett

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June 30, 2022

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Kids from across Haliburton County plucked guitars, sang songs and drummed funky beats for their families and friends June 27 at a Camexicanus “Music Together” recital.

The program has provided kids free music lessons in Haliburton and Minden since May, with the option to return in the fall for pay-what-you-can lessons.

“It makes sure kids all across the County can get music lessons no matter what,” said Camexicanus director Greg Sadlier. Katie Lavalle, who performed a solo song on guitar said she was nervous to perform in front of the crowd, but excited to share her skills. “I like how there are so many different chords and ways you can pick,” said Lavalle.

Others, such as June Judson who had been practicing in the program for eight weeks, got on stage to perform with a crew of other beginner guitarists. Judson said she’d like to learn how to sing while playing guitar in the fall.

“It was really heartwarming and good to see them pull everything together,” said assistant director Darian Maddock who helped coach the beginner musicians. A new round of free lessons will be available in the fall for kids who haven’t attended the program.

Canada Day festivities

Camexicanus will take over Glebe Park July 1 for a “Canada Day Throwback.” There will be live music, a kids’ baking contest and games and craft stations from 11-4 p.m. High school rock stars will strut their stuff on stage at 7 p.m. for a concert celebrating Canadiana and songs from all decades.

“There will be some Blue Rodeo, we’ll be playing “Oh Canada, God Save the Queen,” said Maddock. “Some will be playing their own original songs too.”

Camps offered

Camexicanus also offers day and overnight camps throughout the summer. This year the theme is “Create Adventure.”

From Haliburton to Wilberforce to Norland and beyond, Sadlier and a crew of young leaders will be leading kids in art, music, theatre, film, sports and outdoor activities.

Day camps are open to kids from senior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Overnight camps are open to kids from Grade 5 to Grade 8. At the end of the summer, Camexicanus will host a youth arts and music festival in Haliburton on the last weekend of August.

For more information and camp dates, visit camexicanus.ca or contact info@camexicanus.ca