Highlands Challenge soars past fundraiser goal

The Haliburton Highlands OPP say they’ve made arrests in a theft of copper wire investigation in Minden Hills.

Between Aug. 25 and Sept. 5, 2021, officers responded to three separate incidents from Hydro One substations with an approximate combined value of $7,000.

On Sept. 14, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a suspect vehicle was located in a parking lot in Minden. Police attempted to apprehend the male but he fled in the vehicle at a high rate of speed and officers disengaged due to public safety concerns.

On Sept. 26, an officer attended a call for service under the Trespass to Property Act at a residence in Minden. Upon arrival, the officer located the male suspect with an unknown female inside a vehicle on the property. When the officer attempted to approach the suspect, he struck the police cruiser with his vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed, accompanied by the female. No further attempts to stop the vehicle were made due to public safety concerns.

On Sept. 28, as a result of the police investigation and with the assistance of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, the male suspect and female passenger were located in Sault Ste. Marie, and arrested without incident.

Nicolas SALLOUM, 25, of Gatineau, Que., has been charged with:

· Flight from Peace Officer, contrary to CC s.320.17 – two counts

· Assault a Peace Officer, contrary to Criminal Code (CC) s.270(1)(a)

· Dangerous operation, contrary to CC s.320.13(1) – two counts

· Failure to stop after accident, contrary to CC s.320.16(1) – two counts

· Obstruct Peace Officer, contrary to CC s.129(a)

· Mischief Endangering Life, contrary to CC s.430(2) – two counts

· Break, Enter a place, contrary to CC s.348(1)(b) – three counts

The accused is being held in custody pending a bail hearing.

The passenger, Kariann LESAGAE, 21, of no fixed address, has been charged with:

· Assault a Peace Officer, contrary to CC s.270(1)(a)

· Flight from Peace Officer, contrary to CC s.320.17

· Dangerous operation, contrary to CC s.320.13(1)

· Failure to stop after accident, contrary to CC s.320.16(1)

· Mischief Endangering Life, contrary to CC s.430(2)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden on Nov. 3, 2021.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Studio Tour returns to the Highlands

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September 30, 2021

HS-studio tour-3- — Rose Pearson demonstrates how she takes a picture of inspiration and turns it into a large painted work of art.

By Hannah Sadlier

After a small but mighty 2020 season the Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands is back in full force for its 34th season.

This year 34 artists, in 23 studios across Haliburton County, will be opening their doors to visitors from far and wide. “The Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands, welcomes returning and new visitors back to our studios,” said Peter Emmink, the tour’s co-director.

“Our 34 artists have been hard at work to bring you a huge selection of their works this year, and to make their studios as safe as possible for you to enjoy.” Not only will visitors be able to take in the fall colours that Haliburton is known for this time of year, but they will also experience an array of media.

This year visitors will experience: fabric, pottery, painting, woodwork, glass, jewellery, mixed media, silversmithing and for the first time, photography. “Again this year, many studios will be conducting demonstrations of their craft, skill and techniques, which is not only informative but fun to watch for young and old alike,” Emmink said

. All studios will be following COVID safety protocols as outlined by the Ontario government and the HKPR health unit. “Also due to COVID we have had to forgo the snacks and treats that have been synonymous with the Studio Tour but hopefully that will all return next year,” Emmink said. The Studio Tour takes place this weekend, on Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and again Oct. 9 and 10. Copies of the 2021 Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands, brochure are available at many local businesses; or download a digital copy online.

For more information, visit thestudiotour. ca or find The Studio Tour on Facebook and Instagram.

‘Everyone has a right to live their life’ says CCHC

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September 30, 2021

More than 40 area residents provided their thoughts and opinions on the potential implementation of a nationwide basic income program during a special day-long presentation at Head Lake Park on Sept. 21.

Organized by the Concerned Citizens of Haliburton County (CCHC), the event was designed to “get people talking, and get people thinking” according to Bonnie Roe, one of the activist group’s leading volunteers.

Since their formation in January 2019, CCHC has been one of the community’s lead advocates when it comes to social justice issues. The idea of a basic income has been prevalent, in Ontario at least, for several years. Back in March 2016, the Liberal government of the day launched a pilot project designed to test a growing view that a basic income could help to reduce poverty in a sustainable way.

The program was rolled out in Hamilton, Thunder Bay and nearby Lindsay. More than 4,000 people were signed up, with individuals receiving up to $16,989 per year, and couples slated to get $24,027. The program was intended to improve outcomes in food security, stress and anxiety, mental health, health and healthcare usage, housing stability, education and training, and employment and labour market participation.

“We believe having a basic income is vital to helping individuals who may be struggling get their lives back on track. When we saw the positive outcomes that people who were enrolled in this program were having, it was incredible,” Roe said.

The program was later discontinued in 2018 after Conservative Doug Ford assumed office.

“When it was shut down, many people’s hopes and dreams were totally destroyed. These people had started to do things such as no longer rely on the food bank for food, going back to school, or even starting their own business,” Roe said. “Once that level of support was removed, a lot of these people found themselves back at square one.”

Carolynn Coburn, another volunteer with CCHC, set up a chart at last week’s event and made a note of every specific thing an individual stated they would need to live a happy life. She said the group will be using that information to broach the issue of a basic, livable income with provincial and federal politicians in the near future.

“A lot of the responses we received related to housing, having enough food, being surrounded by family and friends. Then there was a community component too – that was important, because people felt they would be more inclined to get involved in their community, and be good, active citizens if they felt more secure financially,” Coburn said.

Given the situation that many people across Canada found themselves in last year when the pandemic first hit, Coburn feels there’s more compassion out there now for individuals who do need an extra helping hand. Approximately 8.9 million people applied for support through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit last year after being financially impacted by the onset of COVID-19.

“It was pretty interesting to see what the government thought people who lost their jobs needed to survive, to get by month-to-month – they each got $2,000 per month,” Coburn noted. “Considering the pilot project for basic income was at $16,900, that’s a big increase.”

The major stumbling block many people have difficulty with when it comes to a universal basic income is the reported costs associated with implementing such a program. According to the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, a guaranteed basic income would cost $87 billion in 2022, rising to $93 billion in 2025.

Coburn says that money would be offset by a decrease in monies paid out through other social programs. Roe said she’d like to see some of the country’s richest residents dip into their pockets to help pay for the program.

“In my view, a basic income would come from our taxation system, the same way that healthcare does. If you turn around … and look at the very, very wealthy, and if you tax them even a minimal amount, you would have all the extra money needed to be able to allocate to something like this,” Roe said. “If people know they have this secure amount of money coming in every month, that could change their life. They will be able to plan and know they have enough for a comfortable life and have all of their basic needs met.”

She concluded, “It would be a win-win for all involved.”

FUNraising bursary empowers nursing student

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September 30, 2021

As Hailey Alden settles into her new life up in North Bay, she does so having received a little helping hand from the Wilberforce FUNraising Group (WFG).

The recent Haliburton Highlands Secondary School graduate, and long-time Wilberforce resident, made the difficult decision to leave home earlier this year in pursuit of post-secondary education. She is currently enrolled in a two-year practical nursing program at Canadore College.

Just prior to her move to the ‘Gateway of the North’, Alden was the recipient of the 2021 WFG Bursary Award. Launched last year, the initiative was designed to assist promising students as they prepare to head off to college or university.

“This is just one of the delightful sort of Highlands East kind of things where there’s a group of people who like each other, and have got together with very little structure for years and years and years to do regular community events. Then, the money that we made [would go towards] the betterment of the community, and we have, historically, tended to focus on youth,” said WFG member Joan Barton.

The group, in the past, has raised money for projects such as the development of Herlihey Park. When COVID-19 hit, however, they were severely restricted by what they could do.

“We had money just sitting in the bank. This was money people had given to us thinking we would do good stuff with it. So, we decided we wanted to continue doing good stuff, hence the bursary,” Barton continued.

Last year, HHSS graduates Sydney Little and Chelsea Flynn each received $500 through the bursary fund.

Originally, the WFG wasn’t sure they’d have enough to match that total for this year’s bursary. Then, Barton recalls, one member received a call from Elaine Fournier, the recently retired former principal of Wilberforce and Cardiff elementary schools. Rather than receiving gifts from the community, in celebration of her retirement, Fournier asked that area residents instead donate to the WFG bursary fund.

The money, Alden says, was used to offset the cost of some “very expensive” materials that were required for her course, including two text books and an online computer program.

Aside from her “ground-breaking marks” at high school, Barton said the WFG were most impressed by Alden’s community work throughout her teenage years. She was far and away the standout candidate for this year’s bursary, Barton reiterated.

“One of the things we ask for in our application, is for students to tell us about their community service. Hailey’s service was exemplary – she assisted yearly with one of our events that we put on, the penny raffle. She had also done volunteer work with the Wilberforce Figure Skating Club and the Wilberforce Agricultural Fair,” Barton said.

While the bursary was established, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton says the group intends to keep it going for years to come.

Local pair showcase art with a scream

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September 30, 2021

After moving to Haliburton in January, artist and music producer David Partridge often strolled past Tiffany Howe, outside her studio space, How(e) Creative, in Haliburton Village.

“We’d see each other and be like ‘that looks like my kind of people,’” said Howe.

They were right. And now half a year later they’re co-hosting an art exhibit, “You Make Me Wanna Scream,” opening Oct. 2.

The exhibit is Howe’s first partnered show in the century-old former store, which she renovated in 2020 and opened in 2021.

The name of the show is mostly for fun. It’s a nod to Partridge’s paintings and Howe’s recent work which she says explores a bit of “inner turmoil.”

The “screams” in question are all silent; characters rendered onto canvases in splashy blocks of acrylic colour by Partridge, some letting loose howls. And Howe’s recent work might spook the unprepared: she’s been creating creatures in paper-mache, purposefully a bit weathered and worse-for-wear. On the table in front of her, a crumpled teddy bear stares forlornly out into the sunlit studio.

“Our art is so different. Hopefully we’ll bring in people who like different things… and who cares if they don’t!” she said.

Don’t take it too seriously though, because Partridge and Howe don’t. Even calling the show “You Make Me Want To Scream” seemed a bit too pretentious, Partridge said. Howe chimed in “It has to be ‘wanna.’ That makes it more fun!”

It’s also Partridge’s first time exhibiting in a formalized show, hanging up large-scale paintings that explore a blocky, pixelated style he began exploring when he was 17.

The show’s closing coincides with the scariest night of the year, Halloween, Oct. 31. That means there could be an impromptu block party, featuring a witches’ dance to celebrate the end of the monthlong exhibit. “It’s gotta be a ‘closing ritual,’ not a ‘closing reception,’” Partridge said. And the space might suit an art show experience tinged with a healthy dose of the unexpected. “

I have this incredible space that’s also super creepy,” Howe said with a laugh, gesturing to the high ceilings and victorianesque facade outside. “Let’s just have another event and throw some other fun things on top of it.”

It’s a space that she lives in too, so all those coming to the show after it opens must call ahead to book a viewing. “It is my space to live and work: this is my living room, dining room, office and studio.”

The gallery’s purpose might just reflect that of the upcoming partnered show: it’s a celebration of art and community.

“Without having it being a store, I wanted to make it a more easy-going space,” Howe said.

The pair are hosting an opening reception on Oct. 2 from 1-4 p.m. at How(e) Creative, located across from Haliburton United Church.

New principal at ASES

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September 30, 2021

The very first day that Dawn Sudsbury stepped through the front doors of Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden, she knew she had landed somewhere special.

Taking over as principal from the recently departed Jane Austin, Sudsbury says she’s “incredibly excited” to join a school that is known across the region for its community spirit and academic excellence.

“First and foremost, what an opportunity,” Sudsbury said when discussing her motives for moving to ASES. “There are a lot of reasons why I’m excited to be here. First off, this is a really big school for our area. I love interacting with kids, and there are a lot of them here. I also like the fact that there’s a great staff in place here, and a vice principal that I can work with.”

She moves to Minden having most recently served as principal at Langton Public School in Fenelon Falls. In total, Sudsbury has more than 20 years of educational experience.

“I’ve heard many great things about this school during my time [as an educator]. I’ve seen already just how welcoming this community is” Sudsbury said.

A big part of that energy has been generated by the students themselves, who were happy to return to school under somewhat normal circumstances following close to two years of interrupted learning.

For Sudsbury, a return to in-person learning for the vast majority of the student body this year is being viewed as a major positive for a variety of reasons.

“I think that school is an important place for kids socially. You can feel the energy in the building – the kids are happy to be back, and the staff are happy and excited to have kids back in front of them,” Sudsbury said. “I know that I, for one, love the interpersonal piece of being in the school and having that interaction and personal connection with students.

Having students back inside the classroom will help academically too, Sudsbury said.

“I really think there’s an opportunity here, after having a couple of years totally interrupted by COVID-19, to work on academic achievement … We need to try and accelerate that – identify where our students are, and what we need to do to help and support them get to where they need to be,” Sudsbury noted. “I’m really passionate about early reading. That is, I think, a strength that I bring to the school, and is something I’m looking forward to working on.”

Huskies aim for playoffs in debut season

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September 30, 2021

Expectations are high as the Haliburton County Huskies get set to kick off their inaugural season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), with head coach and general manager Ryan Ramsay laying down a marker and challenging his young squad to push for a playoff spot this year.

After months of behind-the-scenes planning and preparation, the Huskies are now just a day away from making their competitive debut. The team will take on the Lindsay Muskies in a home and home series this weekend, beginning Friday night on the road and culminating with a match-up at SG Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden on Saturday.

Ramsay was bullish when discussing his expectations for the season, noting that, having worked with most of his players throughout the summer, he knows they have what it takes to make an impact in the OJHL.

“I really like our team. I think we have a really young, exciting team,” Ramsay said, noting his roster was among the youngest in the league. “From what I’ve seen so far, we’re a team that loves to compete.

“Our goals for this season … we want to make the playoffs. I [will] judge success on at least making playoffs,” Ramsay added. Pre-season was a bit of a mixed bag for the Huskies. The team started out with a pair of wins over the Aurora Tigers, where their top scoring line – particularly Bryce Richardson and Oliver Tarr – impressed.

The pair combined for 17 points against the Tigers.

This past weekend, the Huskies went head-to-head with the Collingwood Blues – a perennial challenger for the OJHL championship. Ramsay said those games would give a good indication of where his team is at heading into the regular season. On Friday (Sept. 24) in Collingwood, the Huskies battled hard but ultimately succumbed to a 6-1 defeat.

The very next night in Minden, the team rallied and were impressive for large stretches of the game. Despite an improved performance, the Huskies gave up a 3-1 decision.

“I know the game in Collingwood, the score didn’t look too great for us, but we started off that game really well. We outchanced them the whole first period, but still found ourselves down 3-0 by the end of the first period,” Ramsay noted, saying the Blues scored on their second, third and fifth shots of the game. “By then, the game was pretty much a wash, but I was pleased with our compete level and the speed of our play. Even in that final period, when the game was obviously gone, the boys didn’t give up.

“On home ice, we were better again, but Collingwood is a top team,” Ramsay said. He also reserved special praise for the local community, who came out in droves over the past couple of weekend to support their new team. Both home exhibition games were sellouts, and Ramsay expects that trend to continue well into the regular season.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that the Huskies had sold well over 200 season tickets to excited fans – giving them access to all 27 home games during the regular season.

“We couldn’t be happier about the support we have received from the community – we’ve seen it from people wanting to buy tickets, businesses looking to sponsor, and families [volunteering to serve as billets]. The Haliburton County community has really welcomed this team,” Ramsay said.

He would go on to admit that, given the level of interest in season tickets and capacity restrictions brought on by COVID19, single game ticket availability for seats in the rink will likely be limited for the foreseeable future.

The Huskies will compete in the OJHL’s East Division, against the Muskies, the Wellington Dukes, the Trenton Golden Hawks and the Cobourg Cougars. While a playoff spot is the eventual goal, Ramsay said it was difficult to predict where his team would land given the unknowns surrounding some of the other teams.

“Looking at previous seasons, Wellington, Trenton and Cobourg tend to bring in a lot of older players. But it’s tough to predict how everyone is going to look right now – the OJHL didn’t play last year, so there’s not really much to go off. We don’t know if Cobourg is losing five players, or if they’re losing 15 players. I think it’s going to be a bit of a weird year,” Ramsay said. “I think it’s going to take the first month to really judge how we’re going to stack up against some of the other teams.

New library CEO aims for community ‘connections

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September 30, 2021

Before Chris Stephenson began studying to become a head librarian, his sister gave him a book, Riding with Rilke. In it, an English professor delves into the worlds of libraries, archives and travel via motorcycle.

Turns out it was a fitting gift.

Stephenson, originally from Gravenhurst, has just been appointed as CEO of the Haliburton Public Library. Not to mention he’s an avid reader, researcher and motorcyclist as well.

“I didn’t know until after I read it that it was so appropriate for me: I became a librarian, I love motorcycling and I love books and archives,” Stephenson said in an interview at his new office.

Replacing interim CEO Anna Babluck, Stephenson said he’s had an exciting, if tiring, first week in the role.

“I don’t feel overwhelmed because I’ve received such a warm welcome,” he said.

“When the door is open and my job is to walk through and make people feel comfortable and excited about the library… half the work is done.”

He joined the field later in life, after working as a senior set carpenter in Vancouver’s film industry for 10 years.

The life of a set carpenter means long hours and physically taxing work, and Stephenson began charting a career pivot. He invested in a masters of library and information sciences degree from the University of British Columbia. Next, he gathered experience from multiple librarian roles, including a stint in Bancroft. It was a journey to get him to the point where he could jockey for the role of CEO, the most senior position within a library system.

“I was prepared it would take some time, and it has,” he said.

He was also excited to move to the community of Haliburton, where he spent much of his childhood at a family rental property in the Haliburton Forest.

“I knew there is a very strong arts community [in Haliburton] and that’s something I was looking for in a community,” he said.

Building partnerships

Libraries aren’t just places for book loans. Now, spots like Haliburton’s Public Library are vital access points to the internet, lifelong learning, community meetings, news and more.

Libraries, said Stephenson, have had to “actively advocate for themselves to stay relevant” by connecting community members with resources they enjoy, and resources they need; community being the key work.

“I’d always been good with people, caring about community and community building. One thing I noticed in libraries is that you’re well poised to be one of the community builders.”

He’s already made strides in ensuring the libraries he works in consider diversity and inclusion in their programming. In 2020, Stephenson and a colleague at the Okanagan Regional Library in Kelowna hosted a drag queen storytime, despite negative feedback online and concerns from the library’s CEO. The two librarians were awarded the B.C. Library Association’s Champion of Intellectual Freedom Award in an online ceremony for their advocacy for the program.

It’s still early days in Stephenson’s role in Haliburton; he’s moved into the office and has been setting up email, meeting with staff, and will soon discuss the library’s strategic plan with the board. But once he gets his footing, he hopes to focus on partnerships with community groups.

“The strength of the community is here, we just need to tie it to the focal point of the library to make things happen,” he said. He mentions the arts community and the teen population of the Highlands as a special focus. “I hope to make these connections; restore connections that may have fallen by the wayside.”

Maybe it’s just a bit like his former career, another type of construction. “Building sets and building houses is rewarding in a certain way, but the feedback you get from working with the public is powerful,” Stephenson said.

Strike for Climate

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September 30, 2021