Students lay crosses for local heroes

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September 23, 2021

This week at Haliburton’s Evergreen and St. Anthony’s Cemeteries, small white crosses adorned with poppies pay tribute to those who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. On Sept. 20, the crosses were laid as part of the Haliburton Legion’s second annual Veterans Decoration Day.

HHHS students helped find the graves of Canadian forces veterans at both cemeteries, and spent time planting a cross in front of each one.

“They can’t be here to do it, so it’s important we help remember them,” said high school student Gerrit Kooistra, one of 20 students who took part.

“Anything we can do to help the legion, we’re there, said HHHS teacher Paul Longo who organized the students’ involvement.“We try to do as much as we can within the community as well as the school.”

After the Legion Colour Party led the march to the cemetery, Local musician Gord Kidd strummed songs on the guitar. Songs like Leonard Cohen’s Hallejujah echoed across the cemetery while the students paid tribute to the soldiers. The project was organized and aided by the Haliburton Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Haliburton & District Lions Club.

Legion members like Sir Harold Rowden, who served in the battle of Normandy, and President Don Pitman, watched as the students distributed crosses.

“It was quite emotional for me,” Pitman said. “ You just go right back and remember the people who gave their life in service to their country or they spent time overseas so it’s just a great reminder, never to forget.”

Pitman said the presence of high school students is an important part of the day. To him, it means they’re learning valuable lessons about Canada’s past and present.

“It’s an addition to Remembrance Day but it has a more local tone, it’s almost like an additional recognition to everyone here that served.”

Mould keeps Dorset Rec Centre closed

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Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2021

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Dorset and area residents will have to wait a little longer to use the town’s recreation centre.

In addition to continuing COVID-19 challenges, mould has been discovered at the complex and Algonquin Highlands councillors decided Sept. 16 to have interior waterproofing done. The township will also apply for an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant in hopes of getting $500,000 to put towards the unbudgeted expenditure.

Operations manager, Lyell Bergstrome, said Cambium Inc. had been hired to have a look at the building. One of their recommendations was inside waterproofing at a cost of $350,000 to $400,000 which should last 40 to 50 years.

If the OTF grant request is unsuccessful, the item is expected to come back to council for more discussion.

Bergstome said the contractor had a look on Aug. 19.

“Within their report they outline the main issues being: inadequate attic insulation and venting, exterior walls do not contain moisture barrier, duct work not adequately insulated causing heat loss in the attic space, washroom vent fans not properly discharging,” Bergstrome wrote.

Recommendations ranged from exterior waterproofing to demolishing and reconstructing the building at a cost of $4-5 million.

Bergstrome recommended the interior waterproofing to maintain the look of the building while still addressing internal issues of wet insulation and mould. However, he said it could close the centre until next spring at the earliest.

Mayor Carol Moffat said in a perfect world, they could knock the 32-yearold building down and build something addressing all of the community’s wants however it would cost many millions of dollars at a time when the township has other capital demands.

Deputy mayor Liz Danielsen said they could look at the entire footprint, including the public works garage, incorporating housing.

However, in the end, councillors went with the interior waterproofing and applying for an OTF grant.

Coun. Julia Shortreed said while she’d love to have something bigger and better, residents ask her every day, “when’s it going to open? When is the gym going to open? They want to use the squash courts. It’s hard to justify telling them we’re going to be closed for three years. That’s really hard for the community.”

CAO Angie Bird said although 32 years old, it is a “solid building.” She noted council has done extensive recent renovations including a new fitness room and a community hub upstairs where the library used to be.

“I’d hate to see those go by the wayside. There’s lots of potential with the building as it now stands.

Over 450,000 snails removed from area lakes

By

Mike Baker

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September 23, 2021

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A group of almost 300 local volunteers have teamed up with specialists from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFA) to remove more than 450,000 invasive snails from dozens of area lakes.

The project, being lauded as the first of its kind in Ontario, kicked off earlier this summer after representatives from the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations (CHA) identified two types of invasive snails that its members say are overly prevalent in a collection of popular lakes.

Paul MacInnes, chair of CHA, contacted Brook Schryer, an invasive species specialist with OFA back in April for advice on how to go about removing the snails.

“I was told pretty quickly that this sort of thing is heavily regulated. Snails, even invasive snails, are protected under the federal fisheries act, so we had to get a license,” MacInnes said.

Schryer took care of most of the heavy leg work in that regard, which included training all of the volunteers who wished to participate in the clean-up.

In an interview, Schryer noted the two species in question – the Chinese Mystery Snail and the Banded Mystery Snail – can disrupt a lake’s eco-system.

“These kind of snails have been linked to largemouth bass eggs being predated upon, which obviously impacts the population of largemouth bass in lakes where these snails are prevalent,” Schryer said. “They’ve also been linked to various parasites that can be passed on to fish, waterfowl, and even humans. There’s science out there that supports links between these snails and Swimmer’s Itch (a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites).”

History on the Chinese Mystery Snail dates back to the late 1800s, Schryer says. Native to eastern Asia, the snail found its way to North America via boat, first landing on the shores of San Francisco around 1892. Since then, they have quickly spread across the continent. The Banded Mystery Snail is different in that it’s actually native to North America, originating in southern U.S states such as Florida and Georgia. Schryer says there’s evidence to suggest the Banded Mystery Snail was first introduced to the Great Lakes around 1931.

Mark Roszell owns a lakeside property on Mountain Lake. He says he first encountered these types of invasive snails around 15 years ago. He was one of three volunteers on his lake to be trained to collect the snails. Together, he estimates they collected around 6,000 over the course of the summer.

“This program is desperately needed. These snails have been getting worse and worse now for several years,” Roszell said.

“They’re not good for the lake, and, at certain times, they seem to have these dieoff events, where hundreds and hundreds of empty shells float right to the surface, and all this organic matter gets into the water. It creates a horrible smell.”

Michael Jankowski and his mother, Beatrice collectively gathered up around 17,000 snails on the weekends they spent at their cottage on South Lake. He hopes the attention generated through the success of this year’s program will inspire more people to get involved in the future should it return.

“I think this sort of thing is really important for the longevity of the lake … I fear that, unless we do something about this, in the future our lake could turn be taken over by these mystery snails, and the impacts on the water quality could be terrible,” Jankowski said.

Schryer noted these two types of snails are particularly dangerous due to the rate in which they reproduce. A single Chinese Mystery Snail, Schryer says, could reproduce up to 100 times.

Reflecting on the success of this first program, Schryer says he was impressed by the many volunteers who went above and beyond to help clean up approximately 45 lakes across the Highlands. He reserved special praise for one individual in particular, who preferred to remain anonymous, who collected around 257,000 snails by herself on Grass Lake.

He hopes to bring the program back in future years, though warned anyone looking to participate would need to be retrained before being allowed to go out and collect.

“When it comes to the goals of this program, I would really like to optimistically say it’s about reducing the populations of these invasive snails in these lakes … We want to give shoreline owners the ability to do something about this problem,” Schryer said. “Maybe over time, with enough dedication, we can start to see some results. These snails are not supposed to be in our waters, and they can have real negative impacts.”

For more information on invasive snails, visit www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/ invertebrates/invasive-snails. For more information on the CHA invasive snail project, contact Schryer at brook_schryer@ ofah.org.

County sets new COVID case record

By

Mike Baker

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September 23, 2021

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In a week when Haliburton County posted a record high total of positive COVID-19 cases, the region’s chief medical officer of health has warned the implications of a fourth wave of the pandemic here in the Highlands could be severe if area residents don’t take preventative measures seriously.

On Sept. 16 the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge [HKPR] District Health Unit reported six new cases in Haliburton County, bringing the total number of unresolved cases at the time to 14 – the highest since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

As of press time on Wednesday, Sept. 22, the number of active cases in the Highlands dropped down to six. Over the past 18 months, there has been 145 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, HKPR chief medical officer of health noted that while COVID19 cases have fluctuated in Haliburton County throughout the pandemic, last week’s statistics represented something of a peak for the region.

“The fact is that many activities are resuming this fall, especially the return to school for students, and this can lead to more potential exposures,” Bocking said. “The main circulating strain of coronavirus in the area [is the Delta strain]. Right now in Ontario, the Delta variant is the dominant strain, accounting for 90 per cent of coronavirus cases in the province,” Bocking said. “Studies have shown the Delta variant is much more contagious than the original virus, which means that a close contact with someone who has the Delta variant can lead to many more potential infections.”

With the increased prevalence of COVID19 in the area over the past week, Bocking says public health measures continue to be “as important as ever.” She recommended that area residents continue to limit close contact with others, stay home if they are sick, wear a mask while out in public, and frequently clean and disinfect their hands.

Vaccinations, of course, are important too, Bocking notes.

Over the past few weeks, HKPR has shifted its COVID-19 vaccine focus. Instead of having residents attend fixed clinic sites, such as the ones that were previously offered at A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton and SG Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden, the unit has been organizing a series of popup and mobile clinics, especially in more rural locations where access to the vaccine may have been difficult.

Over the past couple of weeks here in Haliburton the mobile GO-VAXX bus has been on location at Abbey Gardens and at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. Bocking says HKPR will continue with this strategy throughout fall, and that more clinic dates would likely be added soon for Haliburton County.

Given the restrictions that came into place provincewide on Wednesday (Sept. 22), requiring individuals to provide proof of vaccination upon entry to certain facilities and establishments, such as restaurants, bars, gyms and cinemas, there has been a recent uptick in people getting their first shot.

In the past seven days alone, 1,123 people have received the first dose of the vaccine in the HKPR region, while a further 1,544 individuals have received their second shot. In the four weeks since Ontario Premier Doug Ford first outlined his plans to introduce what he has called a temporary vaccine passport, 4,217 people across HKPR have received their first dose.

Since the vaccine was introduced earlier this year, 135,408 people across HKPR have been fully vaccinated. That accounts for almost 80 per cent of the local population.

Despite these statistics, Bocking noted the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t a “silver bullet” remedy, pointing out that Ontario residents will have to be vigilant over the coming weeks if they hope to avoid a devastating fourth wave.

“It is unknown what the peak of the fourth wave might look like in Ontario. In recent weeks, case counts have risen, and that is likely to continue as we head into the fall and winter,” Bocking said. “The fourth wave will really be determined by a number of factors – overall vaccination coverage rates, the ability of people to limit [and] preferably even decrease the number of contacts they have, and whether or not residents continue to follow important public health measures.

“We are seeing the situation in other jurisdictions – especially in parts of the US, [and here in Canada] in Alberta and Saskatchewan – where the fourth wave of COVID-19 is leading to a surge in cases and an extreme strain on hospitals and the health care system,” Bocking added. “We don’t want to see the same thing happen in Ontario, so let’s continue to do all that we can to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

HKPR hosts ‘Back to Class’ COVID Q&A

By

Sam Gillett

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September 22, 2021

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Have questions about schools, vaccines, and COVID-19? They just might be answered at a virtual meeting with Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge on Sept. 28.

From 7-8 p.m., Dr. Bocking will provide parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers an overview of current COVID-19 concerns, as well as the status of youth vaccinations and more. She’ll also answer questions about school and children-related COVID-19 issues.

“We know there are many questions that parents and guardians have about COVID-19 now that school is back this fall,” said Dr. Bocking in a press release. “We ask people to submit their questions and attend this virtual session as it will be very informative and helpful to address any concerns and clear up confusion.”

Those who wish to submit questions to Dr. Bocking can submit them by noon on September 28, by visiting the Health Unit website (www.hkpr.on.ca).

The event will be live on the HKPRDHU YouTube channel, and a recording will be available to watch after the event.

(Sam Gillett)

Schmale secures third term for Conservatives in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

By

Sam Gillett

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September 21, 2021

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Conservative Member of Parliament Jamie Schmale — Jamie Schmale poses victorious at the Cat & The Fiddle Pub in Lindsay on Sept 20.

By Mike Baker, with files from Sam Gillett

Conservative Jamie Schmale has secured a third term as Member of Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock on a night that brought very little in the way of change – both locally, and across the nation.

Schmale recieved 33,826 votes – good enough for 52.6 per cent of the local vote. His closest contender, Liberal Judi Forbes, drew 14,497 votes (22.5 per cent), while NDP candidate Zac Miller had 9,237 votes (14.4 per cent).

Rounding things out locally, People’s Party of Canada candidate Alison Davidson put on a strong showing – securing 4,645 votes (7.2 per cent) – with Green Party candidate Angel Godsoe receiving 1647 votes, and Libertarian Gene Balfour getting 444 votes.

Both Godsoe and Balfour were present at Schmale’s election night party, held at the Cat and Fiddle pub in Lindsay. Around 70 people were on hand when, at approximately 10:30 p.m., it was declared that Schmale had done enough to secure another term in Ottawa.

“This was one heck of a campaign. It was a very challenging campaign due to the fact we [are] in a fourth wave of a pandemic – there were a lot of health restrictions we had to overcome, and different ways to accommodate volunteers, but we got over that,” Schmale informed The Highlander, stating he and his team knocked on more than 10,000 doors across the riding over the course of the condensed five-week campaign.

He said he felt humbled to have been elected for a third term, and vowed to work diligently and effectively on a number of issues he believes are important to the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock riding, referencing, in particular, the need for improved high-speed internet in some of our more rural areas.

In addressing issues here in Haliburton County, Schmale said the federal government needed to do a better job of helping small businesses get back on track after a tough 18 month period.

“We need to make sure our main streets are strong, and get people back to work … It’s no secret that, in Haliburton County, there were many employers that couldn’t find anyone to work[this summer], and that’s a concern – especially when businesses in Haliburton County have a very short window to make enough money to keep them going through the winter,” Schmale said. “So we need to make sure that there are the bodies and policies in place that actually encourage people, where it’s safe and responsible to do so, to get back to work. Otherwise, our small businesses won’t be here much longer.”

While it was a big win for the Conservatives here in HKLB, there was disappointment at the national level, with many media sources declaring another Liberal minority government. It’s predicted the Liberals will secure 158 seats – 13 shy of the total needed for a majority government. The Conservatives are tipped to serve as the Official Opposition, with 119 seats. The Bloc are projected to win 34 seats, the NDPs 25 seats, and the Green Party two seats.

“The fact that we ended up with the exact same results, plus or minus a few seats here and there, is unfortunate – especially at a cost of $610 million,” Schmale said.

Forbes was the only other local candidate to hold an official gathering on election night, pitching up at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club. Approximately 25 supporters joined her on the night.

Reflecting on the results, Forbes indicated she wasn’t surprised to see Schmale secure another term in office.

“This is a conservative riding. I’m disappointed, of course, that we didn’t gather more [support] here,” Forbes said. “I’m always hopeful that more progressive people will move into this riding, but apparently that wasn’t to be in this election.”

Forbes did take some solace from the fact that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party were set to win a third term in power.

“I am delighted that a Liberal power is in government, because there are so many great things that they’re doing, so many great initiatives that we want to keep pushing forward,” Forbes said.

When speaking with The Highlander briefly late on in the evening, Forbes praised her campaign team and thanked her thousands of supporters here in HKLB, urging local Liberal voters in the region to remain optimistic in the face of another disappointing result.

“Let’s keep being hopeful. Let’s keep working hard. Someday we will take this riding,” Forbes said.

For more 2021 federal election reaction, check out this week’s edition of The Highlander, coming out on Thursday

OPP search for suspect in Minden Hills copper wire theft

By

Sam Gillett

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September 20, 2021

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Image provided by the Haliburton Highlands OPP
Image provided by the Haliburton Highlands OPP
Image provided by the Haliburton Highlands OPP
Image provided by the Haliburton Highlands OPP

Haliburton Highlands OPP officers are searching for a suspect after $7,000 of copper wire was stolen from Hydro One substations in Minden Hills.

Between Aug. 25 and Sept. 5, officers were alerted to three seperate thefts of the material at Hydro One locations in the township.

Police believe the same, currently unidentified, male is responsible for all three thefts. Police also have identified a vehicle: a white two-door GMC pickup truck. It has a spray-painted white bed cover and a metal front bumper.

On Sept. 14, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the vehicle was located in a Minden parking lot. Police attempted to apprehend the suspect, but disengaged due to public safety concerns after he sped off at high speeds.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP urge anyone with information to contact them at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

Powered peddling around the County

By

Sam Gillett

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September 17, 2021

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Victoria Fenninger sets up three bicycles in the Sir Sam’s Ski and Bike parking lot; one for her, two for a couple she’s taking on a tour of Eagle Lake and beyond.

They aren’t the bikes most people grew up peddling. They’re e-bikes, battery powered cycles which mean anyone, regardless of skill level, can follow Fenninger on guided tours of Haliburton County through her company FR Bike E-Bike Tours.

“I found out there was a somewhat local supplier that was doing e-bikes out of Burlington and they were looking for someone in the area to represent them,” said Fenninger.

She’s been a mountain biker for years, as well as running the ski cross racing program out of Sir Sam’s in the winter.

With RBSM Sports supplying her with bikes, Fenninger said she’s guided locals and tourists, showcasing how e-bikes “level the playing field” of cycling. Her bikes are pedalled like normal, however there are five power settings which determine how much the battery assists in pedalling.

“The e-bike is a great equalizer, where you can ride at different speeds and ride at different levels,” she said.

But it can be a thrill for experienced riders too.

“You can go on wild climbs you’d never be able to do on your own.”

Fenninger has also developed FR Bike tours to showcase other industries, tourism hotspots and local events within the County. She leads tours through custom tour company Yours Outdoors, combines bike rides with yoga sessions at Head Lake Park and often stops by Abbey Gardens.

Many tours are geared to those who want to dip a toe into the world of e-bikes, with lessons ranging from drop-in one-hour sessions to four hour tours that combine biking with scenic views for snapping instagram shots.

Fenninger was instrumental in developing Abbey Gardens’ new disc golf course, and one hybrid tour includes a stop to send frisbees soaring towards far off targets around the Gardens’ grounds.

She’s even partnered up with Hike Haliburton to offer an “e-bike and hike” tour of the Haliburton County Rail Trail.

Bikes are in famously short supply this year. Staff from Sir Sam’s, Algonquin Outfitters and Fenninger herself said there’s been increased interest in cycling, likely driven by the pandemic.

“I think a big part of it comes down to the pandemic,” Fenninger said. “A lot of things have been closed but nothing stops you from getting on a bike and riding on your local roads or trails.”

She’s sold multiple e-bikes to customers around Haliburton, and said interest in her tours continues to grow. She’ll be leading e-bike tours until the snow begins this fall.

Visit frbike.ca for more information.

County hoping to rock 2021-22 curling season

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 17, 2021

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Members of the Haliburton Curling Club are planning to hit the ice Monday, Oct. 4 with Minden and Wilberforce shortly behind.

The Haliburton club was the only one to get on the ice during the 2020-21 curling season, offering some play during a COVID-19 impacted season.

This year, club president Kent Milford said they hope to stage as normal a season as possible with COVID protocols in place: the same ones that will be in force in Minden, Wilberforce, Bancroft and Bobcaygeon.

Even before the province announced its vaccine passport, the Haliburton club’s board of directors voted to make the building a vaccine-only zone.

Milford said it wasn’t an easy decision, weighing protection of rights versus health. However, he said the bottom line is, “people in the club need to know the person next to them is as safe and protected as they can be so they’re as safe and protected as they can be.”

When signing up online or in-person Sept. 8 and 9, people had to provide proof of vaccination. In addition, there will be health unit requirements for mask wearing and social distancing.

However, Milford said curlers will not have to wear masks on the ice.

He said it was “brutal” playing with masks with players abandoning their eyeglasses to the sidelines because they kept fogging up.

When it comes to other club space, it will be treated like any other inside venue.

The decision means curlers under 12 will not be playing with the club this year.

And while the board has not made a decision, Milford said it is unlikely there will be bonspiels this year.

He anticipates they’ll have more curlers than they did last year but fewer than preCOVID as curlers have gotten older or their circumstances have changed.

“We’ll do okay. We have a healthy and strong club.”

The plan is to operate regular leagues. They will also be offering a mixed social curling night on Fridays in conjunction with the Minden Curling Club. Membership in either club entitles play in the league and it will have flexible attendance similar to Wednesday afternoon pick-up curling. As an added feature this league will have in-person musical entertainment twice per month, once at each location.

See haliburtoncurlingclub.com; or contact clubcurling@bellnet.ca.

Minden Curling Club

Minden Curling Club president Robert Peacock said they did a membership poll and 130 members have indicated they want to curl this season.

That means that barring any provincial government lockdowns, they hope to start Oct. 12 with league play the following week.

They’ll require proof of vaccination to keep their members, who are mostly older, safe, he said.

The club is holding an in-person registration on Sept. 16 from 4-7 p.m. and an open house on Sept. 25 from 2-5 p.m.

“We’re looking very optimistic,” Peacock said. “To me, it looks very good. It can only grow.”

For more information, go to their website, mindencurlingclub.com or email info@ mindencurlingclub.com.

Wilberforce looking for members

Wilberforce Curling Club president, Gord Fitch, said they’ll start their season at the end of October if they can get enough members. He said they have a state-of-theart facility and all of their COVID protocols in place. They just need people to commit to playing.

He said the small club would like between 45-55 members to get underway.

He’s optimistic, saying “Honestly, there’s enthusiasm. We’ll see if turns into commitment. We’re hoping to get it going.”

If interested go to wilberforcecurlingclub. com or contact wilberforcecurling@gmail. com.

Huskies and Tigers to clash in first test for Haliburton County

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 17, 2021

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The Haliburton County Huskies will get some insight into club readiness for the upcoming OJHL season when they clash with the Aurora Tigers Sept. 18 in their first exhibition game at the Minden arena.

The Tigers won both of their preseason weekend games against the Stouffville Spirit while the Huskies played their blue versus white intersquad game.

Speaking about the 4:30 p.m. Saturday matchup at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, head coach and general manager, Ryan Ramsay said, “it will be a good test to evaluate where we are at as a team.”

Since moving from Whitby, where they were the Fury last season, the team has had about a 50 per cent turnover in players. It’s meant it will take some time to gauge the chemistry between players and finalize lines.

However, 22 of the 23 players that will lace up to start the season have been selected.

Team white beat team blue 5-3 in the Sept. 11 tilt.

“It was a good, close game,” the coach said. He added for the most part the players executed on what they’d been working on all week with the coaching staff. However, he said intersquad games can be tough as players are going up against friends and can let up.

“I’m really excited to get the exhibition schedule underway this weekend.”

The Huskies made a trade Sept. 9 with Cobourg to bring Brad Ditillo on board. He scored two goals in the Blue versus White game. They also bought Jacob Dupuis from the Lindsay Muskies. Two locals, Joe Boice and Ryan Hall, have made the main club. Quinn Meek made the team at rookie camp and also scored a beauty goal. The coach said Bryce Richardson, Patrick Saini and Oliver Tarr also stood out this past Saturday.

The squad has also named Nathan Porter as captain and Tarr and Issac Sooklal assistant captains.

An estimated crow of 160 watched the game. Ramsay said it was a great turnout with capacity at 195 right now. He said fans were excited and had a good time.

He said the ice is improving and spectators need to know that the arena area is cold. The club is continuing to work on its headquarters inside the facility with mainly cosmetics to be finalized. They’re also waiting for the township to finish the gym and canteen areas.

Ramsay said they’d sold 210 season tickets to date and are preparing for Sept. 22 when the vaccine passport will be officially launched. They will split fans between the stands and warm areas. He said observers will be advised of protocols as they become available.

The Huskies play Collingwood Sept. 25 before opening the regular season with a game in Lindsay against the Muskies Oct. 1. The team’s home opener is slated for Saturday, Oct. 2 in Minden against the Muskies.

See more at huskieshockey.ca