It’s all about the wood at The Toolbox

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August 27, 2021

Opening a side door to The Toolbox in Minden, one is greeted by T-Rex, the German Shepherd, and the smell of wood.

There are trademark Haliburton Garden chairs, a more age-appropriate version of the Muskoka chair. There’s wood everywhere and tools can be heard in the back of the store.

The Toolbox has taken over the former Organic Times building in Minden, just over the main bridge.

Opening over the Victoria Day long weekend, it’s an extension of Lakeland Millwork and Windows, which Andi Schollig has owned and operated for nearly 30 years.

Schollig sits at a wooden table with daughter, Kirsten Schollig, who is handling marketing, and store manager, Krista Hoover. T-Rex circles the table and Mike Thompson operates tools at the back.

Lakeland Millwork and Windows has been around 28 years, doing construction and cabinetry, including millwork at the local hospitals, and pretty much every school from Haliburton County to Cobourg, Schollig said.

“Cabinetry is my forte. Windows, doors and trim is my passion. Stairs and furniture. In all of that, we’ve always needed a place to do it,” she said. “I’ve always had a shop of some sort.”

Schollig moved to Toronto in 2009 with her family while still owning a home and serving loyal customers in Minden while traveling between the two areas before permanently returning home to Minden in 2019. After losing her shop in Oakville, she was looking for new space.

One day in 2019, after tending a public garden her late wife had planted, she was walking down Bobcaygeon Road in front of the former Organic Times which was up for sale.

“I’m sure I’d walked past the sign 100 times but this particular day it was like she [her wife] hit me in the back of the head with a two by four and said ‘buy it’ so in doing that, it just opened the whole idea.”

That idea is that Lakeland Millwork and Windows continues to operate out back while The Toolbox is its own enterprise out front. That storefront will also be a project venture place.

“I love Lee Valley, it’s an impression of mine as to what a good tool store is. Yeah, we rely on hardware stores but this is going to be a different tool store. It’s unique tools for the people in the area, the artisans, the home hobbyists and people who just want to do something different,” she said.

For example, the Bosch tools that they are promoting will be accessible. “You can try them out. We’ll have a full work bench with full access on any tool. So, you can fit yourself to the tool you need.

“If you need extra help with the parts that you need for your project, we can facilitate it in our 1,000 square foot shop at the back.”

She said artisans and others will be welcome to come and use the space, including if they have their own wood but need it milled.

“Anything to do with wood, we can facilitate for the customers.”

She also talked about venue nights.

“We’ll pick a night and say ‘sanding’. Learn how to sand from start to finish. Or, we’ll have finishing if you want to finish what you’ve just sanded. We’ll have finishing products as well, just simple style or suggestions on how to finish your products.”

Schollig believes there is a need in the area with a lot of interest expressed to date.

“A lot of people just want to come and see me work a day in the shop so that they pick up some of the ideas on how to do something. They’re willing to help me a day so that they learn. That experience.”

They also plan to have a display area so artisans can have a storefront for a month and offer their own show and tell evenings.

Other plans include a kitchen, barbecue, living room assembly, full working shower and bathroom for use, but to show off the kind of work they can do.

They will donate money from proceeds of chairs to mental health, no cutoffs are wasted as they are made into garden markers and it is an LGBTQ+ safe space. “Everybody is welcome here,” Schollig said.

Hoover said it’s been a great experience to date for her. “I love everything to do with woodworking. I love that Andi actually shows me how to do everything while we’re making projects, just different things that people have ordered, it’s just been amazing.”

For more information, visit lakelandmillworkandwindows.com or call Schollig at 416-427-9050.

Kennisis Lake Marina aims to be community ‘destination’

By

Sam Gillett

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August 27, 2021

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On a sunny Saturday in August, Kennisis Lake Marina and Storage is full of conversation and laughter. People play corn hole with a scenic view of the lake, chat dockside or sip lattes and eat ice cream outside the newly refurbished store, cafe and ice cream bar.

Gary Bouwmeister, Chad Burden and Jim Dale said their goal is to create a community “destination” that’s a whole lot more than a place to store boats.

Bouwmeister, in an interview beside the marina, gestures to a crowd of corn hole players chatting in the sun and tossing bean bags across the parking lot.

“Stuff like this brings people together,” he said with a smile.

The trio met on the lake: Bouwmeister and Dale, longtime cottagers, joined up with Burden to buy the marina last year. Burden had been leasing the space from its previous owners.

“The three of us got together and talked about what the future could bring here,” Dale said. They all had a part in planning changes, and getting the marina operational for the summer. Now Burden handles most of the day-to-day operations.

“I can’t ask for better partners, they’ve been great,” Burden said of Dale and Bouwmeister. He mentioned how the first goal of the renovations was to make use of all the marina’s property.

The renovated storefront and cafe, cleaning up the lot and installing pickleball courts came together fast. Those spring renovations meant they could open for the 2021 cottage season. Kayaks, water skis and paddle boards are available to rent and the trio is planning self storage units to be available in the future. Dale said they’ve also chatted about expanding food and beverage options in the main store.

Whether through corn hole tournaments, pickleball games, concerts or their busy storefront, Dale said he wants to invest in the community through the marina.

“It’s a very tangible thing. People on the lake can see it and experience it,” said Dale, who works in the financial industry in Toronto. And for the owners, it was important the marina become a place they’d want to hang out as well. “We’re cottagers here too, we want it to be fun as well,” Dale said.

Throughout the marina’s grounds, staff and customers greet Bouwmeister, Dale and Burden by their first names. They pose with the corn hole tournament winners and chat with onlookers in the hot summer sun.

On Aug. 28, they’re inviting the community to the famous annual “Rock on the Dock” concert at the marina, with proceeds going to SIRCH Community Services.

“It’s a business venture,” Dale said, “but it’s a lot more than that to us as well.”

Schmale puts focus on post-COVID economy

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Sam Gillett

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August 27, 2021

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THE HIGHLANDS VOTES

MP Jamie Schmale’s campaign for a third term in office is well underway.

“Besides the heat, it’s been pretty good,” said Schmale.

He said this campaign includes a lot of younger volunteers helping out alongside “veterans” as the team goes door knocking with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

“We knock on the door, we step back. Most people have been very good, a lot of good conversations.”

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock has been Conservative since 2004, however 2021’s election is shaping up to be entirely unique as issues such as COVID-19 take center stage. For Schmale and the Conservatives, the focus is stimulating the post-COVID economy

“I think the one that’s on a lot of people’s minds is jobs and the economy, what we’re trying to do to move things along.”

He highlights support for small business owners, which includes incentives for new hires and $200,000 loans for small and medium-sized businesses.

A central talking point in the Conservative’s economic plan is an overhaul of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, which Schmale suggested is a key factor in why there have been staffing shortages around the County.

“As our vaccination rates increase, as the economies re-open we need to incentivize employees to go back to work where possible. We also need to ensure the business owners, who have been hanging on by their fingernails, are on stable ground,” he said.

According to Schmale, that could boost employment in heavy-hit industries such as tourism and hospitality in the Highlands.

Housing and long-term care

Affordable housing options, either to rent or buy, are scarce in Haliburton County.

“Housing is one of the top three concerns we’re having here,” Schmale said. His party proposes to free up 15 per cent of Crown land for housing developments. The plan would also temporarily block foreign buyers from purchasing real estate in Canada. He supports foreign investment, but said “the problem is, it’s gotten a bit out of control where we as a government have to step in.”

“Stepping in” also applies to helping out long-term care facilities. Schmale was critical of the Liberal approach to investing in long-term care support, including increasing transfers to the long-term care funding system.

Similarly, Schmale detailed how the Conservatives would replace a hallmark Liberal campaign promise, $10 a day childcare.

“The kids that are in daycare now are going to be paying this back. The question is how are they going to be paying that back?”

Schmale’s party would introduce a 75 per cent tax credit, paid throughout the year, to help fund childcare.

Vaccine hesitancy

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole will not support vaccine passports or mandatory vaccines for federal public servants or travellers. That’s a position Schmale agrees with, though he urges people to get vaccinated.

“Personally, I think the best way to combat this pandemic is to get vaccinated,” he said.

Some claim that vaccination requirements infringe upon privacy and their rights. Others claim a workplace’s obligation to provide a safe work space means mandating vaccines for employees, or requiring vaccine passports, is a necessary next step in the battle against COVID19. A poll from Abacus Data reports Conservative voters are the most likely to oppose mandating vaccines for employees, or requiring vaccine passports.

Dysart calls for security camera feedback

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Sam Gillett

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August 27, 2021

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Dysart et al has launched a community survey about surveillance cameras in Head Lake Park.

Residents can share their opinion on the cameras and their usage through a threequestion survey on the municipality’s website.

A recent uptick in vandalism around the park, including graffiti scratched onto the Rotary band pavilion, sparked the idea.

“We’re looking at various areas in the park that have received vandalism and not so much positive activity in the last while,” said CAO Tamara Wilbee.

Only certain municipal staff, such as Wilbee, would be able to view the footage.

“This isn’t general surveillance that anyone can access. It’s only accessible by certain staff like myself if there was an incident,” Wilbee said. “It’s not so we can watch everybody. It’s for a very specific service.”

The municipality will also only store surveillance video for seven days, and let people know through signs when cameras are in use. Those policies, as well as public consultation, are mandated through the Municipalities Video Surveillance Policy.

On the survey web page, the municipality claims a lack of video surveillance “makes it more difficult for the municipality and law enforcement to prove what happened in a particular incident, whether that be vandalism, an altercation or someone getting injured.”

Mayor Andrea Roberts said that surveillance could be a good step in apprehending vandals.

“When there is a vandalism report, the first thing the OPP do is ask for our surveillance,” she said. “The OPP are completely in support of this.”

She said reports of vandalism at the park are “disheartening.”

After receiving responses, staff will present the survey’s findings to Dysart et al council. To access the survey, go to dysartetal.ca

Renters dump waste

By

Sam Gillett

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August 27, 2021

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It isn’t unusual to see bags of garbage, discarded household wares or even furniture lying roadside around Haliburton.

Students and faculty from Fleming College’s sustainability program wanted to find out why.

In partnership with U-Links, Fleming College’s sustainability program produced a new study which sifts through reasons people might dump garbage illegally, and steps Dysart Township could take to stop the problem.

While they couldn’t determine if illegal dumpers were aware that they were breaking laws, they found nearly half of Dysart’s Airbnb listings didn’t mention waste disposal. The students suggested mandating clearer instructions about how tourists can deal with their waste.

“To make waste management really front and centre for people booking online: that, to me, was a really great take away,” said John Watson, Dysart’s environmental coordinator.

The study also recommends signage at garbage “hot spots” as well as monitoring illegal dumping instances and creating flyers to be distributed to short-term rental sites.

Coun. Larry Clarke said he hopes the study’s findings will influence the County’s rules for short-term rentals in the future.

“I think it’s important that if somebody is not stepping up and providing a process for people dealing with their waste their license should be pulled. It shouldn’t be on the short-term rental market,” he said.

It’s not an issue unique to Dysart, however illegal garbage disposal has an environmental and financial impact on the township. Rob Camelon, director of public works, estimates crews spend 20-25 hours responding to illegal dumping complaints and Mayor Andrea Roberts recounted how nearly every morning garbage bags are found lying around Head Lake Park garbage bins.

Fleming’s study compared how municipalities across Ontario deal with the issue, as well as how residents can report garbage being dumped on roadways.

Watson said that information has already helped Dysart improve its own reporting practices. Currently, people can submit details and photos of each instance on Dysart’s website. That information helps municipal staff create maps and databases that highlight areas which see a lot of garbage. Watson said the students and faculty’s hard work is helping Dysart “[build] practices and procedures here that will really help keep our community clean.”

The study is available to read on the municipality’s website on the agenda for the Aug. 10 committee of the whole meeting. Faculty from Fleming College declined an interview request.

Haliburton County sees recent increase in opioid overdoses

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 27, 2021

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An international overdose awareness week event slated for Head Lake Park in Haliburton Aug. 31 is promising “a safe space for community members to remember loved ones who died from overdoses, share stories, provide support and help break the stigma.”

In announcing the 10 a.m. to noon event, the HKPR district health unit said it will also have a flag where individuals can place a pin in honour of a departed loved one to keep their memory alive and wave with pride.

“We encourage everyone to come out and show their solidarity and support,” the health unit said.

The week comes on the heels of the health unit issuing an opioid alert for Haliburton County Aug. 18.

“In this situation, Haliburton EMS notified the health unit about an increase in overdoses involving Fentanyl,” said Cathy MacDonald, the substances and harm reduction coordinator for the health unit. She said their hospital data corroborated the finding, resulting in the alert.

She did say “as is the situation in Haliburton County, the safety of the drug supply can also lead to overdoses. Some ‘street’ drugs are more dangerous and could be contaminated or poisoned, meaning they are more potent and likely to cause severe overdose reactions.”

Asked for local numbers, the health unit said it could not separate out from a region that also includes The City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County.

Department of emergency services director, Tim Waite, said he did not have the exact numbers, however, local EMS usually see a “few” opioid-related incidents but had six to eight ambulance responses for possible opioid overdoses over a two-week period.

Haliburton Highlands OPP added on Aug. 24 that last week, officers attended five overdoses, including one resulting in death.

“So far in 2021, the Haliburton Highlands Detachment have investigated four drug related deaths, which is an increase from the 2020 year, when two drug related deaths were investigated,” they said.

MacDonald said the numbers are trending upwards not only in the HKPR district health unit region, but across the province and country, particularly during COVID.

She said there’d been a “worrying” increase in opioid overdose-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths in the region since the start of the pandemic.

“In recent weeks, both Cobourg and Haliburton County have seen a rise in overdose incidents,” she said.

She said the regional numbers doubled between April 2020 and March 2021, compared to April 2019 to March 2020.

There had been 208 emergency room visits in 2020, 29 hospitalizations from January to September 2020 and 37 deaths in 2020. “These are more than statistics.

These are real people who are overdosing and dying in our communities,” MacDonald said.

She added, “Let’s remember that overdoses are a health and social issue, and that with increased community awareness and action, we can save lives.”

She attributed the increases to more people using drugs during the pandemic, in part to try to cope with COVID-related challenges such as social isolation, losing a job, poor mental health and concerns or anxiety about the virus. She added people may also be using alone, due to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions.

The event in Head Lake Park is in partnership with PARN, the John Howard Society, Fourcast Addiction Services, local health care providers, Haliburton EMS, and Haliburton Highlands OPP.

“Equally important as preventing overdoses is changing the conversation about substance use. We need to look at substance use as a health and social issue. With increased community awareness, understanding and action towards overdoses, we can save lives. We need to work together, setting aside personal concerns and opinions, and treat people impacted by opioids with compassion and dignity to get to the root of this issue,” MacDonald said.

Safety measures

MacDonald also provided some safety measures, such as: test a small amount of any drug before using; never use alone; if alone, call the National Overdose Response Service virtual safe consumption at 1-888- 668-6677 or practice the buddy system and call a friend; call 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose; keep a naloxone kit on hand. They are available at pharmacies and needle exchange sites; avoid mixing drugs.

If you see someone overdosing, you are also asked to intervene by calling 9-1-1 and giving naloxone, knowing you are protected by the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

Haliburton businesses want better security

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 27, 2021

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Industrial Park businesses in Haliburton have banded together after a number of recent thefts.

Represented by Aggie Tose of the Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA), Nathan Petrini of Petrini Construction and Scott Neilson of Walker’s Heating & Cooling, they made a delegation to Dysart et al council’s Aug. 24 meeting.

They want a letter signed by council sent to the OPP detachment commander with concerns regarding the recent loss of tools and equipment as well as vandalism. They would like street lighting considered in future township budgets. They would also like the municipality to consider installing a traffic light with a camera at the entrance to the park.

The delegates told council that “over the past few weeks, a number of businesses have lost tools and equipment. They have also lost many hours off the job dealing with the OPP and insurance companies. The loss of vehicle parts deemed the vehicles inoperable. Add to that, delay getting replacement parts, created more lost time on job sites. This all during the busiest season for all contractors and businesses.”

The three said 10 businesses had been directly or indirectly affected.

Tose told council the HCHBA has 57 member businesses and has continued to work throughout the pandemic, making it an economic driver for the County. Petrini added they estimate the park brings in $75 million in revenue with 300-plus employees. Petrini added there are now 28 businesses plus the college and landfill.

“So, it’s a busy area in here.” Petrini said his business was recently robbed, its third since being in the park. He said they had invested in yard lights, cameras, gates and locks.

Businesses want cameras, streetlights, traffic light

Neilson said his business has been hit twice in 10 years and has invested $10,000-plus on extra lighting and security at the shop.

The businesses are now looking for a partnership with the municipality and OPP.

Petrini said, “Number one, let’s light the park up, street lights would be a huge asset for us, cameras … on the roads, the other thing is stop lights out there. It’s tough to get in and out. It’s time consuming and perhaps doing all of that at one time might make fiscal sense on your part.” Neilson said the businesses would also like more of an OPP presence.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said if anything is done at the County Road 121 intersection it is County of Haliburton jurisdiction. She added council is planning phase three of the park but not during this term. She said it might be an opportunity to put in streetlights but could be a few years.

Coun. Larry Clarke said there’s a primary entrance and exit to the park, and even a streetlight and camera at Industrial Park Road and Mallard Road would capture most traffic, particularly if there is an incident overnight. He said there could be other less costly, interim, solutions prior to phase three. “I think this is something that has to be dealt with on a very immediate basis.”

Coun. John Smith said they could avoid dealing with the County if they put a camera at Industrial Park Road and Mallard Road.

Coun. Walt McKechnie said, “I definitely want us to look into it as a council, definitely communicate with the OPP and try to come up with some type of solution.”

Petrini said, “We’re looking for solutions, not roadblocks. So, I want everybody to have an open mind. I want us to look at how we can solve the problem, not having to rely on the County for instance or someone else. Let’s do what we can here.” He added they are open to other suggestions.

Meanwhile, the OPP said Aug. 24 that they are investigating a number of thefts from the Industrial Park area, specifically catalytic converters. “These investigations are still ongoing and we encourage anyone with dash cam or video surveillance to contact the OPP. Our detachment has increased patrols in this area in an effort to reduce the number of thefts that are occurring.”

A staff report will come back to a future council meeting.

Rocking the night away at Head Lake Park

By

Sam Gillett

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August 22, 2021

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From Elvis to Queen, Van Morrison to The Who, Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band jived through rock history at an open-air concert in Head Lake Park on Aug. 21.

Hosted by the Highlands Summer Festival, the band performed “Rock the Night Away” on Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening.

Leisa Way’s exuberant stage presence was punctuated with snappy outfit changes and fun anecdotes about the history of songs and bands loved worldwide. Whether chatting about Mick Jagger’s backstage shenanigans or turning a Gordon Lightfoot classic into jazzy pop number, Way kept the audience on their toes — and kept those toes tapping.

Her band is stuffed with experience: Fred Smith, a guitarist who’s shared the stage with Chuck Berry, shredded a handmade electric guitar alongside bassist Bobby Prochaska. Jake Simons was the band’s newest member — but it didn’t seem like it. A highlight of the show was his rendition of a stone-cold Elvis; matching the King of Rock and Roll note for note (along with signature hip-shaking).

Doug Balfour took centre stage for a few songs from the keyboard and drummer Don Reid accented stories with raps of the high-hat and showcased his versatility with rhythms that shook the soul all night long.

For more information visit https://www.highlandssummerfestival.on.ca/

Dust Society plays Jenga at Head Lake

By

Sam Gillett

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August 22, 2021

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Strange characters have been spotted around Haliburton during August: on the 22nd, they were found playing Jenga at Head Lake Park.

Figures dressed as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were joined by three others, all disguised in Sunglasses, at around 5:17 p.m. beside the Haliburton welcome centre.

They then proceeded to set up and play Jenga — a game in which players tap out blocks from a tower without making it fall.

A crowd of about 10 people looked on, some recording the scene with cell phones.

All five sported construction hats with the words “Dust Society” written on them. Throughout the past weeks, those who have seen the crew or spotted strange objects around the County have been invited to report the findings to www.iseedust.com.

According to unconfirmed reports, the website is set to receive an update on August 23rd.

People who have submitted reports recieved the following message: “Your data point has been entered. Thank you for your help with our study. To learn the results, please check www.iseedust.com on August 23rd, 2021.”

Branding on the site, and a linked Instagram page, seems to suggest the Dust Society operates the web domain, and a figure named the “local representative” seems to be an organizer.

The Highlander has been alerted to these strange occurrences through emails from a source who appears to be indirectly linked to the group but wishes to remain anonymous.

Soft, and quiet, opening for Minden’s new rec centre

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 19, 2021

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Art and Cherie Wright and Iryna Samofalova and Nick Skyba took to the pickleball courts Aug. 16, making them the first users of the newly-refurbished S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and Community Centre.

The centre has opened to the public for the first time with people able to book appointments to use the pickleball and basketball courts as well as the walking track.

Director of community services, Craig Belfry, said it was good to finally get the building opened.

“We’ve worked towards this for so long and to have the window open to be able to do this right now is encouraging. It’s good to get the community in here to finally do what they love to do. It’s a good day.”

Belfry said they were also in the middle of making ice.

He said with the public emerging from almost two years of a global pandemic, and it being mid-August, it was a quiet first day.

“Hopefully as the fall comes we get more uptake. We know we’re getting high demand for the ice, which is good to see.”

The fitness room is not yet up and running. A new request for proposals for fitness equipment will come before a September council meeting. Belfry said the other outstanding item is design of the snack bar.

He is encouraging people to book the facilities and ice time.

“It’s a little different. You do have to pre-book so we can do contact tracing. But just come on out.”

Samofalova gave it two thumbs up, saying “this is so nice. It’s gorgeous.” And Cherie Wright added, “it is going to get a lot of use.”

Pickleball is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Basketball is Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. The walking track is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free. All activities are offered in one-hour time slots and people must wear clean indoor shoes. Pre-registration is required. See mindenhills.ca/recreation.