Last roar – with pride – for Minden Lioness Club

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June 30, 2021

Angela Pind, acting dean for the Haliburton School of Art and Design (HSAD), has won one of Fleming College’s new spotlight awards for promoting a “positive, equitable and supportive workplace culture.”

“I was super shocked,” Pind, who assumed the position last fall, said.

Five staff members are being celebrated for positive contributions to the school’s learning environment.

Pind started her position just as HSAD was entering one of its most precarous school years to date.

“The challenge is the uncertainty,” Pind said, explaining how COVID-19 influenced the faculty’s operations. “We always know and have a clear focus on the students and achieving the goals they have.”

Pind was quick to mention that her team of administrative and teaching staff are key to the school’s success.

“The people that I work with at Fleming, are just the hardest working people focused on our students,” she said.

Shelley Schell, the Haliburton campus operation manager, nominated Pind. She also predicted Pind would be quick to deflect the praise to her educational team members.

“That’s just the type of person she is,” Schell said. “[Pind] is absolutely inspiring in her abilities, in her commitment: she is so deserving of this award.”

Schell said there has been countless moments when Pind’s leadership has made a difference in the lives of her and her colleagues. “She supports everyone, and cares about everyone. She is so selfless in her approach.”

Helping guide the school through the pandemic required, in Schell’s words, Pind’s “extraordinary ability to grasp the big picture.” That involved implementing new safety protocols, helping faculty transition courses to virtual environments and more.

While she splits her time between Peterborough and Haliburton, Pind said she’s appreciated seeing how well staff integrate into the community.

“I think that what I observe in each of the staff there, is that they are Fleming employees: they are Haliburton [County] community members.”

Pind said that an especially gratifying part of the job in Haliburton County is also seeing her students become communityminded while they learn techniques of art and design.

“They’re learning that in the context of being a member of the community,” Pind said.

Pind herself has engaged with the community’s concerns: from gas station conversations about COVID-19 concerns to discussing community events at staff meetings.

Throughout the year, Pind said she developed ways to support staff and students with the waves of emotion surrounding COVID-19.

“It’s acknowledging that anxiety,” Pind said. She said that open communication – and lots of it – is her preferred method of leadership. “I think having an open door lets people bring in whatever they need to talk about.”

Archie Stouffer grads nailed resiliency

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June 30, 2021

By Kirk Winter

Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden hosted a virtual ceremony for their Grade 8 graduates June 21, featuring addresses by departing principal Jane Austin and valedictorian Emily Fitzell.

Dozens of deserving students were also recognized for their academic success, hard work, citizenship and willingness to help others.

Austin, who is moving to Ridgewood Elementary School in Coboconk this fall, reminded students that they were “transitioning from one part of their education to another.”

Austin spoke of choices the students will make and the impact those decisions will have on their future.

“Choices you make will lead you in directions you may have never imagined. The trick is to be confident and brave. Embrace opportunity. Look for adventure. Make the best choices with the information that you have and if you need more information take the time to seek it out so that you have what you need to make the best decision for you.”

Fitzell took the graduating class on a trip down memory lane in her address, reminding students of the shared experiences they have had together over the last 10 years. Fitzell spoke fondly of trips to the Yearley Outdoor Education Centre, sports that got a little too competitive, exploding pumpkins and the antics of friends that brought a smile to everyone’s faces.

“Archie (Stouffer) has not only taught us … math and science,” Fitzell continued, “but over these years has also taught us valuable lessons in patience, collaboration, courage, confidence, compromise, perseverance and responsibility. All of these have helped us prepare for the last year or so that no one could have predicted. We have gone from one routine to another, in school to online, over and over again. Just when we got used to one routine we would have to switch to another one. This, my classmates, has taught us resilience and we nailed it.”

The program was capped off by 25 different Archie Stouffer graduates being recognized with awards that included having an average of 75 per cent or greater, 80 per cent or greater and individual subject recognition for excellence in the arts, mathematics, English, French, science, geography and history. Nicole Lee was the only dual-subject winner being recognized for proficiency in French and the arts.

Awards

The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Grade 8 honours awards with the following students being selected by staff as deserving:

• Academic Excellence Award – Logan Beers, Emily Fitzell, Nicole Lee, Alissa Mantle.

• Alan Walker Memorial Award for demonstrated citizenship – Miles Bascombe.

• Character Education Award – Adam Davis, Quinn Higgins.

• Sarah Bloomfield Award presented to a student who is always a spark in the classroom – Andy Lippolis.

• Principal All-Round Student Award for a student who has demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, citizenship and extra-curricular activities – Emery Bagshaw.

• Arcadia Masonic Lodge Award for students who have worked hard to succeed—Dalton Fairey, Aaron Neave.

J.D. Hodgson graduation a two-day celebration

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June 30, 2021

By Kirk Winter

Students at J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School in Haliburton were treated to a special graduation experience this year. It began with a virtual recorded graduation and awards ceremony posted to the school’s website June 22. Festivities concluded June 23 when grads and guests came to the school one at a time by appointment for a photo-op, to receive their diploma, awards and a gift from the school.

The taped presentation featured addresses by principal David Waito, trustee Gary Brohman, valedictorian Teagan Hamilton and a special message from newly enshrined Haliburton Sports Hall of Fame athlete Taly Williams who also spoke on behalf of his sister Lesley Tashin who will be joining him on the outside wall of the A.J. LaRue Arena.

Waito told students, “Grade 8 graduation is a rite of passage, marking a time when we formally leave one stage of life and enter into another. In our culture, Grade 8 graduation is often regarded as the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence when our youth take a significant step towards adulthood. This is certainly something to celebrate and so we hope that wherever you are, whoever you are with, that you are celebrating today.”

The principal’s message also directly addressed the disappointment many graduates are feeling about a year truncated by COVID-19.

“I know that this is not likely the Grade 8 year or graduation you imagined it might be. It is OK to be disappointed if you are. I also wish we could celebrate differently together, and there are many things about this pandemic that are just not fair.”

Valedictorian Teaghan Hamilton also spoke of the impact the pandemic has had on the graduating class.

“This past year has been one like no other. We have all lost something to this pandemic, but we have made it so far we can make it to the end. We may not have had the last year of elementary school look the way that we thought it would look but we still managed to have fun while still following all the safety measures.”

Hamilton congratulated all of the JDH graduates saying, “I know this is probably not what you imagined for your Grade 8 graduation … you have all worked so hard to get here. There may have been some times when you never thought you would get here but you did.”

Dozens of graduates were recognized for excellence in visual arts, media arts, drama, English, French, geography, history, math, music, health and physical education, science, dance and core French.

Cheyenne Degeer led the pack with excellence in five subjects followed by Sierra Moore, Parker Pietryszyn and Annabelle Borgdorff who were each recognized in four individual subjects.

The awards were divided into six categories covering the gamut of student strength and abilities, and the following students were announced as winners:

• Academic Excellence: Graydon Kubinec, Cheyenne Degeer and Teagan Hamilton.

• Outstanding Distinction for students who are well rounded academically, extra-curricularly and demonstrate good citizenship and leadership – Hannah Sharp, Sierra Moore and Parker Pietryszyn.

• Citizenship Award for helpful and pleasant individuals who always go beyond what is asked of them – Jackson Titus, Erika Hoare and Beckham Reynolds.

• OPC Award for students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their class and community – Annabelle Borgdorff and Colby Coumbs.

• Rising Star for students who have demonstrated notable academic growth – Braiden Bailey, Isaac Lee and Nathan Morrison.

• Jaguar Spirit Award for demonstrating exceptional resilience and compassion, and effectively bringing people a sense of togetherness during the pandemic – Magnum Moshenko.

High notes not high prices for Opera Studio

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June 30, 2021

The Highlands Opera Studio is partnering with accomplished local vocalists to provide pay-what-you-can singing lessons over Zoom.

Whether an aspiring pop singer or a practiced choir member looking to try out a new style, the half-hour lessons are open to any, at whatever rate they can pay.

“I think that singing is something that should be for everyone – it shouldn’t just be for people that can afford exorbitant prices,” said Lauren Margison, a singer who’ll be teaching with the studio.

The project was made possible through a Local Initiative Project (LIP) Grant distributed by the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC).

Margison is an award-winning soprano who tours internationally and has shared the stage with Gordon Lightfoot and Rufus Wainright. She studied with Elaine Overholt, a vocal instructor who worked on Broadway blockbusters such as Chicago and Hairspray.

Each one-on-one lesson will begin with general introductions.

“It would be starting off with a Zoom consultation,” Margison said. “[I’ll] figure out what sort of genre and what their goals would be.”

Then, from her Zoom screen she’ll sing alongside her students, whether beginners or seasoned crooners, and offer pointers from her career.

“I’ve picked up these vocal tidbits,” Margison said.

But what if the thought of singing in front of a professional seems intimidating?

“I would say, give it a chance,” Margison said. “I am possibly one of the least judgemental people in the world. I make it a very, very welcoming experience.”

Valerie Kuinka, general & co-artistic director of Highlands Opera Studio, said she hopes the lessons can also alleviate the lingering mental health effects of COVID19.

“The ability to have fun together or alone by expressing oneself through the act of making music is a celebration of the human spirit and can be essential to mental health,” wrote Kuinka in a press release.

And the project comes as the musical world is emerging from a difficult past 14 months.

“It’s been really hard,” Margison said. While she hasn’t been able to tour or do shows, she said she’s enjoyed spending more time with her parents and becoming rooted in her surroundings – she splits her time between Minden and Stouffville.

During that time, she said she’s been finding some of her own inspiration in Canadian classics.

“I seem to be listening a lot to Canadian folk singers – the golden age of Canadian folk singers,” said Margison. “Because we are here in Canada, I’ve been lucky enough to look at the pandemic more philosophically. I’ve really kind of gravitated to loving where I am and loving the natural world.”

Now, she’s excited to share her love of singing with new and experienced singers alike over Zoom.

Pay-what-you-can lessons will be available until March 2022. People also have the option to sponsor lessons for others.

Those interested can email lauren@ highlandsoperastudio.com

All eyes on new Haliburton optometrists

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June 30, 2021

By Lisa Harrison

Highlanders have more options to see clearly now that two optometrists have joined Haliburton Vision Care Centre.

Amardeep Bhogal and her husband, Kinderpal Singh, hail from Ontario and England. Singh has completed the International Optometric Bridging Program at the University of Waterloo.

“We’re excited to have the new doctors join our team at Haliburton Vision Care,” said Lauren Wilson, co-owner of the centre with her husband, Brett.

“They are very knowledgeable and … very nice people and have such positive attitudes on helping people and making sure they get the best possible care.”

Bhogal said she and her husband are “very excited to be here in the community.”

“We are looking forward to bringing our skills and experience to the practice to help provide our patients with professional and courteous care. We are continuously updating our professional knowledge to help provide the best service we can.”

The couple joins the centre’s optician, Elsie Deocampo, to round out the team. Bhogal and Singh will be at the centre on Mondays and Fridays. Evening appointments are available.

Bhogal received a B.Sc. with honours from Western University in London, Ontario and obtained her doctor of optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts in 2014. She has worked across the Greater Toronto Area since then and is also qualified to practice in England, where she worked in 2017.

“I always felt like vision was such a critical component of our day-to-day lives,” said Bhogal of the reason for her career choice.

“While in school, I enjoyed the physics and anatomy of the eye and was amazed with the connection to the brain. I felt like optometry was a great profession where I would have direct patient connections, while making a meaningful impact.”

Singh obtained a B.Sc. in Optometry with honours from the University of Bradford, England in 2013 and completed his clinical training near London, England. Family experiences led him to this career.

“Eye disease was very prominent in my family and I experienced first hand the effects it has on a person’s day-to-day quality of life,” said Singh.

“Accompanying my family members to all of their appointments really sparked an interest in optometry for me, which led me to where I am today.”

That route included independent work throughout England and attending and organizing international outreach trips to communities in need in countries such as Ethiopia, Greece, Lebanon and India.

Singh and Bhogal currently live north of Toronto and will commute for now. They’re familiar with cottage country, spending much of each summer in Muskoka, and look forward to experiencing the Highlands.

“We love being in nature and are avid travellers,” said Bhogal. “We enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing and gardening. We definitely believe the Highlands will accommodate our interests.”

Haliburton Vision Care Centre is located at 7217 Gelert Rd. next to LifeLabs in Haliburton. For more information or to book an appointment, visit haliburtonvisioncare.com or call 705-457- 9500

Point in Time AGM hears about extraordinary year

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June 30, 2021

It was a year like no other for the Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents.

At the organization’s second virtual annual general meeting June 22, executive director Marg Cox thanked staff and board members for their work during extraordinary times.

“Everyone’s been feeling the pressure. I thank the staff so much for rising to the occasion,” Cox said.

The meeting was a chance for members to hear from the organization’s board, and take stock of a year where virtual program delivery took centre stage.

“We know that COVID has been hard on everyone,” Cox said. “We know that it’s really been a time where more people have been talking about their mental health.”

According to Point in Time, youth who received support from the centre reported that education and mental health was the biggest impact of the pandemic on their lives.

The centre reports that 201 teens attended the Haliburton Youth Hub in 2020, 209 children and families received counselling services, and 210 children received service from early intervention workers. Thirteen youth were supported through the youth justice centre and 30 kids attended last summer’s day camp program. Altogether, 769 children and youth attended Point in Time services throughout the year.

According to surveys, 100 per cent of youth served and 90 per cent of caregivers were satisfied with Point in Time’s services.

Cox explained how the centre’s staff all completed anti-oppression training and antiracism training in the past year. They’ve also begun trauma-informed training.

Thanks to community fundraising, Point in Time hit a fundraising milestone of $100,000 in their push for enhanced internet services for County teens.

The organization’s yearly audit was marked “clean,” meaning no noticeable accounting mistakes or risky financial practices. Point in Time is primarily funded by the Ministry of Health which contributed $1,191,137 this past year.

In total, the organization’s revenues increased: they reported $2.9 million in revenue, up from $2.5 million in the previous fiscal year.

In 2020, The Ministry of Health funded the organization with $97,529 in COVID-19 funding as well as $4,637 in grants funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Challenging year marks HHHS quarter century

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June 30, 2021

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) marked a number of milestones as it met for its 25th annual general meeting June 24.

CEO and president Carolyn Plummer noted it was only five years ago that a large in-person celebration was held at the Pinestone to mark a number of significant anniversaries – and how much has changed since then, “in what we hope is the winding down of a global pandemic.”

The Haliburton Hospital turns 85, Minden Hospital 65, Hyland Crest 55, the Haliburton Hospital Auxiliary 50, Highland Wood 25, HHHS 25 and the HHHS Foundation 25.

Plummer noted that in 2022, it will be the 100-year anniversary of the very first health care facility in the area, the Wilberforce Red Cross outpost.

She talked about the pandemic and “unimaginable ways in which our world has changed and how these changes have affected us all.”

She discussed the need to adapt to changing circumstances, including opening the COVID-19 assessment centre; increasing staff by 25 per cent; repurposing and adjusting spaces including walls between hospitals and long-term care homes. Those walls came down June 23 with 80 per cent of staff vaccinated.

Despite fewer visits to the ER, she said the service still had more than 18,000 patient visits and did more than 10,000 diagnostic tests.

She highlighted improved medical records’ keeping; the new virtual primary care clinic and long-term care successes such as keeping residents COVID-safe while continuing programming.

She said community programs had also continued to the best of their ability. She discussed the physiotherapy move and mental health and addictions work. She also reported $1.5 million in infrastructure upgrades and enhancements, such as lighting upgrades and replacement of boilers and chillers.

Plummer also said that despite budgetary demands, the service ended with just a $17,000 deficit, which she termed a “remarkable feat.” She said it wouldn’t have been possible without the foundation, auxiliaries and funders. Thomas Turnbull of auditors Grant Thornton offered an unqualified audit opinion.

It was also announced that Kathy Newton, vice president of support services and CFO, was retiring June 25 after five years with the service.

Plummer thanked her and all staff, volunteers, the community, the Foundation and auxiliaries.

Co-chief of staff, Dr. Steve Ferracuti said the health services’ attention had been focused on pandemic preparations. He said COVID had not hit them as hard as they feared but, while “numbers were small, preparations were not small.” The other major undertaking was new clinical information systems.

The foundation’s Lisa Tompkins announced $464,141 in total funding transfers for capital equipment and program support, including completing the push for new vital signs monitors.

The board also saw some turnover. New members are Ted Parent, Charlotte Snider and Sharon Kassalainen, replacing John Kay, Dave Bonham and Theresa MacDermid

Developers add eight units to Minden housing complex

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June 30, 2021

The partners behind a proposed housing complex at Highway 35 and 21 in Minden have made changes that will see an additional eight units added.

The project came before council’s June 24 meeting with requests for official plan and rezoning amendments. It will be redesignated residential, from service and business area, and rezoned to residential type two-exception, from highway commercial – with the County of Haliburton’s blessing in the near future.

Outside of planning requirements, the project will see a shift so that there are now 36 units in nine, two-story, fourplex buildings. The original proposal was for 28 units. However, they will remain twobedroom and are designed for seniors, couples or small families.

Resident Bill Switzer donated the land and is working with the Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLHHC) to bring the affordable housing development to fruition.

Tim Welch of Tim Welch Consultants said half the units will be ground-level accessible to help seniors age in place.

“We think it is a very strong proposal to increase the supply of affordable housing in Minden,” Welch said of the unique publicprivate partnership.

Betsy Williamson of Williamson Williamson Architects added that after discussions with the MTO, they decided to alter the project, to accommodate setbacks. She said the units are facing the river and there is more parking and accessible parking.

“One of the things we’re looking at doing is distinguishing everyone’s front door,” she said. She added it was important to them “that each family who lives in that development understands that this is their home and that the home is distinguished by different colours, maybe a change in plantings, and they really look at this larger development with individual eyes and can call these places home for quite a long time.”

She said it’s hoped the County will give its approval in August, with construction starting in September 2021, completion in October 2022, and occupancy that November.

Coun. Bob Carter said he wanted to thank all involved in the project.

“For working on this project for so long and so diligently. It’s a little bit like going into a race where people start building hurdles in the middle of the race and you don’t know or expect that they’re going to be there so thank you all for staying the course. Thank you for adding 36 housing units into our desperate environment.”

County extends shoreline bylaw review

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June 30, 2021