Board rejects call for in-person graduations

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June 17, 2021

By Kirk Winter

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has decided to stand its ground on hosting virtual graduations for Grade 8 and 12 students again this year.

At the June 8 board meeting, Director of Education, Wes Hahn, told trustees the planning for these events has been ongoing for months. He said the provincial recommendation for in-person outdoor graduations came too late and after discussions with the two local health units, the board was told in-person outdoor graduations would be unsafe.

On June 1, Premier Doug Ford announced that the provincial government would allow outdoor graduation ceremonies for Ontario students.

“There is no reason that in a year like no other, school boards can’t think outside the box and do all they can do safely to give Ontario students the send-off they rightfully deserve,” Ford said.

Ford added he “wanted students in all grades to have outdoor graduation ceremonies.”

Public backlash was almost immediate, with the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC), which represents almost all of Ontario’s school administrators, saying in a press release that “outdoor ceremonies for all classes are not possible this late in the game.”

The OPC added schools have been planning virtual ceremonies for weeks and months, and “don’t have the time to pivot to an outdoor in-person gathering.”

They called the request, “both disrespectful and unrealistic to Ontario educators to expect them to organize events on this scale this late in the year.”

Sinead Fegan, communications officer for the board, confirmed with The Highlander after the meeting that TLDSB graduations will be virtual this year.

“Graduations take a lot of time and careful planning to put in place. TLDSB administrators have had school graduation plans in place for several weeks.

In-person gatherings would mean multiple celebrations throughout the day and with (two) weeks remaining in the school year there is not sufficient time to coordinate and organize these events outdoors.”

Fegan added public health has advised the board virtual celebrations are “the safest path forward.”

Hahn did hold out the possibility of graduates interacting with their teachers one more time when he told trustees, “staff are sad that goodbyes at graduation are not possible this year. We are hoping that when students drop off their tech there will be a chance for staff and students to say goodbye. More information about this will be forthcoming to parents soon.”

County grad plans

David Waito, principal of J.D. Hodgson Elementary School in Haliburton, said, “We recognize that graduation ceremonies are especially important to mark the rites of passage for both our Grade 8 students and their families, so we will do what we can to celebrate these moments and make them special.”

Lori Sergeant, the administrative assistant at the Adult Education Centre in Haliburton, said they’ll do something for their 16 grads. Sergeant said they are not 100 per cent sure what this year is going to hold, but unless there are drastic public health changes, something similar to last year may be planned again this June.

Jane Austin, principal at Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden, said, “We will be having a virtual ceremony as per the directive of the TLDSB. It will be filmed and then posted on June 21 for families to enjoy and celebrate.”

Austin added the format will depend on the regulations still in place by the government.

“If we can gather, we will film a stage crossing like last year. If we cannot, it will be entirely done the virtual way with certificates being mailed out to families,” she said.

This year’s grads:

• Haliburton Highlands Secondary School – June 29 (120 students)

• JD Hodgson Elementary School – June 22 (51 students)

• Adult Education – June 25 (16 students)

• Archie Stouffer Elementary School – June 21 (45 students)

• Wilberforce Elementary School – June 16 (seven students)

• Stuart Baker ES and Cardiff ES are K-3 schools without graduations.

People accessing lakes without ‘civility and respect’

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Lisa Gervais

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June 17, 2021

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Minden Hills mayor Brent Devolin has declared war on people lacking “civility and respect” using township-owned strips of land to access Haliburton County lakes.

Devolin raised the issue at a June 10 council meeting.

The mayor discussed one particular area in his township – Murdoch Road leading to the Gull River – but said it is happening across the County.

In the case of Murdoch Road, he said people had chopped trees, used machinery to build roads, were partying and urinating and defecating on neighbouring privately owned property.

He said despite the fact there are five access points to the river, the Murdoch Road situation has “mushroomed.”

“It has to be dealt with. It is patently unfair to private landowners. The Gull Lake Cottagers Association has weighed in because it can happen anywhere there’s an unopened road allowance,” Devolin told The Highlander in an interview after the meeting.

“The status quo is not acceptable,” he added. “I think we need to do whatever it takes to deal with this, to deal with all of them. All townships have it ongoing to varying degrees and it’s been escalating exponentially.”

Pandemic has sped up growth

Devolin said that historically, members of the public have used municipal road allowances to access lakes but they have done so with “civility and respect.” However, he said something has changed and municipal bylaw enforcement and the Ontario Provincial Police have to step in because “it’s not acceptable in our community.”

During the council meeting, he said he’d had dozens of pieces of correspondence from private, adjacent landowners, and the cottage owners’ association.

He thinks the problem is due in part to growth and urbanization, exacerbated by COVID-19.

“There’s more and more people coming here that may not be sensitive to historical norms. We have persons coming onto public properties that are interfering with public rights to exercise and enjoy their property. I think this is the thin edge of the wedge on a whole bunch of fronts.”

Coun. Bob Carter said he knows of two other sites where the township has road allowances leading to the lake. He said some real estate agents are selling properties that are not on the lake but suggesting that the road allowances provide beach and boat access to the lake.

“So that you buy the piece of property across the road that isn’t on the lake and you can just use this access to go down to the water. Which you can, but the way it is worded in terms of boat access, there’s one case with a treed bush that happens to be the road allowance. So, nobody’s getting a boat down there without cutting down some trees and putting in a path or trail or whatever and people are going to start building docks.

“So, I agree with you [Devolin] that we have to come up with something that will apply to Murdoch Road and others. This is a situation that is going to grow quickly over the next short while, like perhaps this summer.”

Coun. Pam Sayne said she’s getting other calls in her ward as well, complaining not just about new people to the area or travellers, but sometimes long-term residents.

“I do think that we need to have much better bylaw enforcement and I’d like us to try to coordinate our efforts with the OPP.” She added if trees are cut down or property damaged, people should be fined.

Devolin called for a staff report for the July council meeting saying while Murdoch Road is a “flashpoint one” for him, it’s part of a bigger picture.

“Because this is an animal that’s grown and I think it’s going to grow exponentially. If we wait too long, this will get away from us and we will never be able to reel it back in.”

Vaccine information update

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Lisa Gervais

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June 17, 2021

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Update on vaccination clinic location

People who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at an immunization clinic in Haliburton will need to visit a new location for their second dose.

As of June 9, the clinic at the A.J. LaRue Arena has closed. The clinic, which was hosted by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, was one of two mass immunization clinics held in Haliburton County. The second location, at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden, continues to operate.

The health unit said on June 16 that area residents who received their first dose at the Haliburton clinic will have had a second dose appointment booked already. These appointment dates and times remain the same, but individuals will now need to visit the clinic in Minden for their vaccination.

Residents who are eligible for their second dose can also contact their local pharmacies to see about booking an appointment. As well, residents can also check with their primary health care providers to see if they can book an appointment, the health unit said.

“We are thankful for the municipal and community support that allowed us to set up a mass immunization clinic in Haliburton for a period of time,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit.

“As the vaccine rollout has increased and evolved, there are now a number of different options available to residents to book their appointments as well as the clinic in Minden,” she said.

The Health Unit will be sending letters and emails to area residents who received their first dose at the previous Haliburton clinic. As well, there will be signage at the Haliburton arena to help direct individuals to the Minden clinic site. Residents are also encouraged to continue checking the Health Unit’s website for clinic location updates: hkpr.on.ca.

No appointment nights in Lindsay

Ross Memorial Hospital and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit are working together to make it even easier for area residents to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

No Appointment Needed Nights are being held at Ross Memorial’s drive-thru vaccination clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition on June 17, 22, and 24 from 4 -7:30 p.m.

People 18 and older who meet provincial guidelines including the following criteria are eligible to attend the clinics:

· This will be your first vaccine dose.

· It has been eight weeks after first dose of AstraZeneca.

· It has been 28 days after first dose of Moderna.

· It has been 28 days after first dose of Pfizer.

These No Appointment Needed Nights are the result of an increased Moderna vaccine supply in the region. All individuals in the vehicle at RMH’s vaccination clinic must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose when interacting with clinic personnel. Individuals being vaccinated are advised to wear a loose, comfortable shirt and must bring their Ontario health card. Following their vaccination, individuals are monitored in their vehicles for an additional 15 minutes, or 30 minutes if they have a history of allergic reactions.

(Health news compiled by Lisa Gervais)

Sports Hall of Fame inductees revealed

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Sam Gillett

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June 11, 2021

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The Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame has announced its first inductees.

Eleven athletes, three ‘builders’ and three teams will be celebrated in an exhibit on the upper level of the A.J. LaRue Arena.

A wide range of athletes were recognized: football stars Michael Bradley, and Taly Williams; track and field Olympian Lesley Tashlin and university track star, Anna Tomlinson; hockey players Cody Hodgson, Ron Stackhouse, Bernie Nicholls, Donald Beverley “Joe” Iles, Glen Dart and Marla MacNaull, and curler Jake Walker.

Those honoured in the builders category – supporting sporting culture in the area – include Linda J. Brandon, Albert John (Ab) LaRue and Lenny Salvatori.

Famed hockey teams throughout history also get a nod: the 1934 Haliburton Huskies, 1956-58 Minden Monarchs and the 1971 Haliburton Junior D Huskies will be recognized for their accomplishments on the ice.

“This is a group of people and teams that truly reflect the depth and the breadth of athletics in the Highlands,” said Scotty LaRue, chair of the Hall of Fame board.

“We have 11 athletes, three builders and three teams whose excellence and commitment deserve to be celebrated and that is exactly what we are doing.”

LaRue and the rest of the Hall of Fame board will host an induction ceremony on October 23.

“These individuals have contributed so much to their sports and to their communities and we want to ensure these contributions are never forgotten,” LaRue said in a press release.

The Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame will occupy a temporary space in A.J LaRue Arena’s community hall.

The Hall of Fame is part of the Haliburton County Community Co-operative, and raised funds for the exhibition’s display cabinets, website, and promotional materials with help from community donations.

The Highlander will be profiling each athlete, builder and team in upcoming issues.

Lions let the kids loose in enchanted forest

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Sam Gillett

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June 11, 2021

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Rocks, wooden discs, and PVC pipes took centre stage as the Haliburton and District Lions Club presented Abbey Gardens with a collection of loose parts toys on June 4.

Loose parts refers to a style of play many early childhood educators recommend, gathering natural and manmade objects which kids can rearrange and get creative with. The toys, either made by the Lions or collected in nature, will reside in Abbey Gardens’ Enchanted Forest Play area.

“The idea of loose parts play is no one will tell them what to do with it, they’ll do it themselves,” said Gail Stelter, chair of the Lion’s Enchanted Forest Service Project.

The Lions started working with Abbey Gardens to outfit the play area after it was vandalized two years ago. Abbey Gardens put out a call to local community groups for help rebuilding the area: Stelter said the Lions immediately jumped on board.

As several Lions members unloaded a protective bin, PVC pipes, round river rocks and other creative toys into the Enchanted Forest area, Stelter explained how the Lions felt drawn to support Abbey Gardens’ natural play place.

“For me personally, and for the Lions, children are dear to all of our hearts,”

Stelter said. Stelter organized the effort to find and create creative toys for the loose parts play area. Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary donated much of the PVC pipe which kids will be able to use to roll balls down, build roadways with and more.

Irene Heaven and Cara Steele from Abbey Gardens said they were excited to receive the toy delivery.

“You can tell that the Lions are really trying to tell in how children are playing, in the construction zone, what materials are going to be meaningful to them,” said Steele.

Heaven said she appreciates that the Lions value investing in younger generations.

“I think it’s very valuable on so many levels,” said Heaven, “not just providing stuff, but providing that input into how the space is being used by younger people.”

The Enchanted Forest is a free playground on Abbey Gardens’ property. Between tree trunks and bushes, kids can read at the Lion’s donated library stand, play with puppets once COVID-19 protocols allow and now experiment and play with the new loose parts toys.

“We want a safe place for children to play, for families to visit,” said Stelter.

As the Lions chatted with Abbey Gardens staff, they were already suggesting new ideas: cars and trucks and balls to roll around the PVC tubes and chutes in the loose parts area.

The Enchanted Forest play area will also be a key part in Abbey Gardens’ summer day camp program.

With COVID-19 protocols in place, kids will get a chance to explore the surrounding property and spend lots of time amid the trees and play areas.

“They’re in a safe spot outside,” explained Heaven. “They’re in nature, they’re exploring our big back yard together.”

“I think that’s a very important experience anytime, but after being isolated from one another it’s going to be something extremely important this year.”

Stelter said the Lions will continue to work with Abbey Gardens – they still have space in the fundraising budget for more Enchanted Forest projects.

“Anything that we can do to help children is important,” Stelter said.

“We want to promote to our community that the Lions are here for kids.”

Riding for ‘Rowdy’ on D-Day anniversary

By

Sam Gillett

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June 11, 2021

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On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians stormed Juno Beach, helping the allied forces beat back Nazi troops.

On June 6, 2021, Sir Harold Rowden, who was part of the D-Day advancement, was honoured with a special celebration.

A parade of motorcycle riders and an honour guard of Legion members greeted Rowden – often called “Rowdy” – outside Royal Canadian Legion Branch 129 in Haliburton.

The veteran, whose 97th birthday coincided with the anniversary, was a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment.

Flanked by Legion members, he waved and saluted as 64 motorcyclists paraded past – in homage to his service as a motorcycle courier; a job which saw him exposed to Axis forces while delivering messages to different military units.

“My officer would give me a message to take to the front,” Rowden said.

Upon delivery, “the boys would run up to me and shake my hand.”

After his service in Normandy, Rowden was named a Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.

Sir Harold recently moved from Orillia into the Gardens of Haliburton retirement home in Haliburton Village.

“I’m very thankful to have him in the community,” said Haliburton Legion President, Don Pitman. “And to have the show of love from all the riders that came out today and the people that took the time to organize it and show respect.”

Mark Duggan played a key role in organizing the ride.

“We wanted to pay tribute to Harold, and thank him,” said Duggan, who became friends with Rowden over the past few years in Orillia.

Duggan presented Sir Harold and the Legion with plaques, memorializing his service and his connection to motorcycling history.

Across the street, motorcyclists and onlookers applauded.

Before the motorcycle riders arrived, trumpeter Andy Salvatore played The Last Post, in solemn remembrance of the lives lost 77 years ago.

“Today, [Rowden] said the bigger remembrance is the people that were left behind,” Pitman said. “That really hit the nail on the head.”

An estimated 4,400 Allied soldiers died during the Normandy beach invasion – more than 1,000 were Canadians. The attack is viewed as a turning point in The Second World War, driving German troops to retreat.

Linda Battams, a regional commander with the Legion, said she hopes younger Canadians learn about people such as Rowden and their service to the military.

“I want them to remember the veterans,” Battams said, “what they’ve done for us, the sacrifices they’ve made for us, and honour them.”

High school pioneers equity and inclusion

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 11, 2021

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By Kirk Winter

Students and staff at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) are at the forefront of the new school board initiative for equity and inclusion, its principal and vice principal told a May 25 school board meeting.

Chris Boulay and Jennifer Mills said whether it is learning more about First Nations culture or understanding the value of being a global citizen, HHSS is taking steps to make students aware of equity and to create a climate of equality for all at their school.

Some examples are ensuring a diversity in language department resources, Indigenous topics being embedded into course content, including smudging ceremonies, and students being offered a senior level Equity and Social Justice course in the 2021-2022 school year.

Boulay and Mills outlined the Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Initiative at the school. It’s better known by its acronym of JEDI.

“We began this initiative last spring,” Boulay said. “We wanted to bring equity, inclusion and justice to the forefront of our classrooms. Our work around these issues is not done. We want to have conversations about big issues with our kids present.”

“We want to be focusing on global citizenship and ensure that kids are aware of each other and what is going on in their community,” Boulay added. “We want to create positive change in a non-judgemental way.”

What began as a learning opportunity for staff has now been shared with students to hopefully create positive change in the world by increasing awareness and acting to reduce factors that impinge on equal opportunities for everyone regardless of gender, race, class, ability, religion, sexual orientation, identity or circumstance.

“JEDI also hopes to create and foster a positive school environment,” Boulay said, “where each person’s unique set of ideas, beliefs and skills are valued and represented.”

Mills added, “We wanted to look at how we can make change looking at issues like privilege. Our journey is just beginning. About half the students in the building engaged with the program and generally the feedback has been very positive.”

Mills admitted that some student feedback was negative, suggesting the program is “too political” and that because of Haliburton’s isolation, its content isn’t necessarily impactful on students’ lives.”

But Mills said, “We need to open up people’s minds to different points of view.”

Chief trustee Bruce Reain called JEDI “a great project and it was good to see kids so involved in it.”

Student trustee Kaylee Kelly added her support, calling JEDI at HHSS “absolutely inspiring” and complimented the school on the amount of time it has put into discussing important questions such as the ones JEDI is addressing.

School board celebrating Pride

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) is recognizing Pride Month.

Superintendent Jennifer Johnson told the May 25 school board meeting that as part of ongoing work by the TLDSB Equity and Inclusion Task Force, they’re committed to supporting the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Plus community and their allies, so all people feel safe, welcome, included and respected.

Johnson said the board would like to ensure that all of its schools are a positive space for all students.

A recent review by school administrators suggested that most schools are ready to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and some are ready “to go deeper and continue cultural competency learning for staff, students and community.”

Pride Month is being recognized with the Pride flag flying from June 1 at the education centres in Muskoka and Lindsay, Johnson said.

She added that positive space documents and website pages have been updated and ready for promotion to staff, students and the school community.

Teachers are being supported with curriculum connections and resources to further imbed 2SLGBTQIA+ perspectives into classroom instruction.

The month will culminate with the progress Pride flag being raised at all TLDSB schools from June 21 to June 30.

Johnson said the rainbow colours of the Pride flag have long been a symbol of hope and peace and “raising the flag will visibly highlight the continued commitment to ensure equity, dignity, well-being, diversity and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in TLDSB.”

Folk society zooms from coast to coast

By

Sam Gillett

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June 10, 2021

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Rural internet speeds and COVID-19 didn’t dampen The Haliburton County Folk Society’s first pay-per-view zoom concert.

“Because music doesn’t happen as often as it should these days, I thought I’d start off with something fun,” Halifax-based musician Ian Sherwood said as he began his performance June 5.

Sherwood strummed, sang and chatted with Coco Love Alcorn and Helen Austin in the Folk Society’s “Music from Coast to Coast” Zoom concert.

Concert organizer Don Gage said he and the society were pleased with how the show went.

“It was fantastic,” Gage said. “We’ve experimented with using local artists and doing Zoom shows over the last year – this is the first time we’ve done a ticketed event.”

Organizing a concert reliant on fast internet is no easy feat in the Highlands: high-speed internet is only available in select locations.

Gage, who had an appointment in London, was able to host the show remotely.

So far, the society has been spreading out around the County to prep and produce live shows.

“You have to have good internet for live music,” Gage said.

All three musicians sung songs from their own libraries, also leading singalongs such as Coco Love Alcorn’s song, “This world is for everyone.”

The singer conducted viewers as they sang on their own Zoom screens.

Eighty people chimed in from across the County and beyond – typing messages to each other while the stream took place.

“There was some back and forth between the audience and the performer too,” Gage said.

He said the feedback from viewers was “unbelievably positive.”

Afterwards, many left excited comments on the group’s Facebook page.

The Folk Society tried out a couple of live shows before this cross-Canada event.

To work around internet speed issues, volunteers usually set up in three locations: The Dominion Hotel in Minden, Haliburton Village’s Rails End Gallery and the HCDC office in Haliburton Village. From their, they can help musicians produce their live streamed shows.

For Music from Coast to Coast, however, each musician was in their own home studios.

While Gage said everyone in the society hopes they can move to in-person shows soon, their positive experience producing the weekend’s concert means that a virtual music option for live concerts is likely here to stay.

“As we gradually move out of COVID, many people are still going to be reluctant to go to live shows,” Gage said.

The society’s next showcase features local musicians Kate Hall, Just Jodi and Virginia de Carle on Saturday June 12.

Registration is available on the society’s website, haliburtonfolk.com.

Choosing creative solitude: artist residency to reopen

By

Sam Gillett

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June 10, 2021

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While the easing of COVID-19 restrictions means many are excited to gather again, it also will allow artists, musicians and actors to seek isolation at the re-opened Halls Island Artist Residency.

Artists who had residencies cancelled in 2020 will have the chance to dive into their art form on the scenic island on Koshlong Lake.

“Halls Island Artist Residency is an amazing opportunity for artists to come to Haliburton, be inspired by its beauty and add to the rich fabric of our local community,” said Don Gage, co-chair of Halls Island residency in a press release.

“We’re excited by what our resident artists will do this summer.”

The residency is set to see its first guest on June 12, with the Haliburton County Development Corporation’s Local Initiatives Program helping to fund the reopening.

In 2019, a wide range of accomplished creatives spent time at the island: 2021’s guests are no different.

New York Times best-selling writer Cathy Marie Buchanan, R&B singer Sandra Bouza, playwright Beverley Cooper and more are set to attend.

While in-person programming is cancelled to comply with COVID-19 regulations, virtual programs will be announced throughout the summer.

So far, residency guests will be invited to partake in a video project: Escape to Halls Island. In a six-minute video, they’ll be encouraged to explore themes of creativity – however that looks for each person.

In November, the Haliburton Arts Council will host a premiere of the compiled videos.

In the past, residency guests have hosted readings, writing workshops and invited the public to participate in video projects.

Despite that programming shift due to the pandemic, solitude, quiet and space to create are key parts of the residency which has been operating on the private island since 2019.

“We’ve all been forced into isolation throughout the year,” said Joan Duhaime, Halls Island arts administrator. “But I think these artists are looking for that anyways for their creative process.”

“It also offers them a different location,” said Duhaime. “Isolation from their daily grind – isolation from [their] house.”

For artists looking for off-grid space to create next year, the residency will be accepting applications for the summer of 2022 starting in November.

You can find out more at hallsisland.ca

Art meets expression at gallery launch

By

Sam Gillett

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June 10, 2021

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Whether on childhood trips to his family’s cottage, or painting en plein air around the County as a seasoned artist, Byron Hodgins often found inspiration in the Highlands.

“Every time you go up, you leave a bit of yourself there,” said Hodgins, who now lives in Ottawa.

This summer, he’s opening a new permanent gallery in the sprawling main floor of Haliburton village’s Lucas House.

The rotating exhibition will showcase work from accomplished contemporary painters from across the province.

“I really want artists to come up and experience Haliburton, and bring their work up, and see their work in that context,” Hodgins said.

The gallery is owned by Simon Payn and Bram Lebo. Payn is publisher of The Highlander.

After coordinating with Lebo and Payn, Hodgins curated a test show in 2020. His work weaves his own psyche between Haliburton County’s lakes, rivers, forest tracts and settlements.

“I’m painting a meeting point between myself and the landscape,” he said.

Now, he’s inviting four other initial artists to show their work alongside his throughout 2021.

Margaret Glew, Julie Himel, Scott Sawtell and Shannon Dickie will hang their paintings in the rooms and hallways of the Victorian-era building across from the A.J. LaRue Arena.

“I liked what Byron was doing – in putting a gallery of contemporary and abstract work in a place that hasn’t had that before,” Glew said.

Glew is a widely-celebrated textile, painting and sculpture artist. Her work has been featured in more than 20 solo exhibitions and been shown in galleries from Kelowna to New York City.

The Corner Gallery offers contemporary artists an unusual space to show their work, Glew said.

“I like the contrast between the old and the contemporary – the grilled work, the places for candles; it’s a beautiful room.”

Hodgins said he’s excited for people to experience strikingly modern paintings in a building with such history.

“Most galleries are a bit of a white cube – you just see the art only,” he said. Lucas House, a downtown landmark, is a meandering collection of rooms and corridors not typically associated with vibrant contemporary paintings.

“This space is a bit different. You hear the creaky floors – you see the wood molding. You know, this room was a dining room at one time, you know that that room was the proprietor’s office,” said Hodgins.

Lucas House is also home to The Highlander and Lebo Law.

Glew’s show, Slow Time, is set to open June 12. Throughout the summer, Hodgins said each artist might even be able to do an artist talk through Zoom.

Himel, Sawtell, Dickie and Hodgins will display shows throughout the summer and fall.

While each brings a different style and subject matter to the gallery – Dickie’s work deals with blurred memories and dreamy scenes, for example – they all celebrate and reflect the craft of painting.

“These are painter’s painters,” Hodgins said. “These are artists who are really positive about painting,”

Hodgins said that the Corner Gallery plans to grow and develop organically – engaging with the community through contemporary art.

“Potentially it will open up to have deeper conversations with the community and its history, and where it could be going,” he said.

Lebo said, “Haliburton is an arts community and deserves more art galleries. Lucas House is so beautiful, it needs to be open to the public and we thought this was the best way to honour its history and add to the value of Haliburton as a destination.”

To stay up to date about the gallery’s opening dates, and learn more about the artists visit cornergallery.ca.