Ruler of all you survey

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July 8, 2021

Delays caused by pandemic restrictions have combined with increased demand for customized rural dwellings to create a hot local construction market with large projects booked well into next year.

“These are trying times for everyone, please be patient,” advised Aggie Tose, executive officer for the Haliburton County Home Builders Association.

“Coming into the County in June and July and expecting the contractors to come see your project right now is just unrealistic. It most certainly isn’t because we don’t want the work. We do.”

However, contractors are trying to balance pandemic management requirements, material shortages, and delays on the projects they’ve already committed to, explained Tose.

Also, “[the] safety of our staff is a priority before we consider allowing them to work in your home or cottage … [and the] contractors also have families they haven’t seen since the pandemic began.

“The other problem for contractors in our area is that we only have so many staff and we can’t take on more than we can handle. There is so much work, most contractors are booked for big jobs into the summer of 2022.”

Costs for materials have risen by more than 150 per cent in some cases, said Tose, and while the size of most projects remains the same, the number of project requests has more than doubled.

“In the beginning we were very concerned about the lumber mills closing due to COVID, but they seem to be up and running well now. The [initial] lag in production slowed lumber arriving. There seems to be a big problem right now getting other materials in a timely manner. Doors and windows are nine to 12 weeks on order and ICF [insulated concrete forms] blocks for foundations seem to be very difficult to get.

“I think the biggest change is that the contractors are having to plan material purchases much earlier than they might have in the past.”

Despite the delays, contractors may have room to tackle some smaller projects, but that will also depend on the supply of materials, said Tose.

“The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has been active with lumber industry counterparts, the federal government and the U.S. National Association of Home Builders to pursue all avenues to bring more supply online and bring prices down.

“With strong housing demand expected to continue, and lumber supply having a hard time catching up, it is expected lumber prices will stay high for some time, certainly through the first half of 2021. Lumber futures show a descent of lumber prices as the year continues, but this will be slow through 2021 and 2022. Even at the end of 2022, lumber prices are not expected to be all the way back to near pre-pandemic levels.”

So it appears a little patience will have to go a long way

Joe Iles’ love of people fuelled involvement

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July 8, 2021

Haliburton County Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Iles, was a people person, his wife Jean said.

Jean said her late husband, who passed away in 2011, “loved their friendship and he loved teasing them a little bit at the garage. He enjoyed the community and he took part in much of it, in sports, and at the fire hall for years and the fellowship there.”

Iles was chosen by the committee for more than six decades of active involvement in sports in Haliburton County.

At just 15, he was the youngest player on the Senior Huskies, but dominated play. At 17, he earned legendary status during the final game of the 1945 Porter Cup.

According to the committee, “in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a hockey game in Haliburton County, Joe broke a 6-6 tie, scoring the winning overtime goal with a dazzling end-to-end rush. The resounding cheers of the crowd echo through time and remind us why the arena was central to Haliburton’s culture in that golden era.”

Another highlight of his hockey career was the chance to play at Maple Leaf Gardens as a member of the 1947 OHA Junior All-Star team.

Iles was also a top flight baseball player, a local golf champion and a celebrated skip at the Haliburton Curling Club. In 1961, he skipped his team to victory, winning both the Carling and Gilliam trophies.

Iles was also influential in the community, holding many leadership positions. He was a founding member of the Glen Dart Hockey Tournament, president of the Haliburton Minor Hockey Association, president of the Haliburton Curling Club and president of the Rotary Club. His most prominent public service was as a 40-year member of the Dysart Volunteer Fire Department, and for many years as its chief.

The hall said Iles’ athletic career taught him courage, teamwork, and tenacity, characteristics he used to serve his community. His lifetime accomplishments were recognized when he was presented with the 125th anniversary Medal of the Confederation of Canada.

Jean said Iles might have been a little surprised by his induction but would be “very, very thrilled and honoured to be included.”

She said she thinks he was driven by his love of friendship, camaraderie and community.

Her daughter, Pam, agreed.

“He was active in Rotary, which was certainly a community committee. He coached hockey for years and years. At the garage he ran, he loved when customers came in. He had a secret stash of candy when they came in with young children. He loved the little ones.”

Finding chaos and calm in the circus

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July 8, 2021

An upcoming circus performance will explore the emotional toll of COVID-19 through fire dancing, high-flying acrobatics and electric violins.

NorthFIRE circus, an Ontario-based group of performers, is displaying “Theatre on Fire: from chaos to calm” at Abbey Gardens July 16-18.

Isabella Hoops, a performer and the show’s producer, said the upcoming act was created to move viewers through the seven stages of grief.

“I started thinking about how much this pandemic has effected all of us – we’ve all gone through these stages of grief,” Hoops said.

From shock to denial to acceptance and hope, Hoops and her fellow fire dancers and musicians will showcase their skills in choreographed sets that correspond to feelings and emotions they’ve dealt with during COVID-19.

Aerial acrobats will perform on 22-foothigh silks – using the fabric to perform spins and flips and electric violinist Dr. Draw will accompany the show’s exploration of processing a post-COVID world.

“With each stage [of grief] – we spent many hours just finding different movements that reflected how we feel during that stage,” Hoops said.

That’s not to say the performance is all COVID-induced gloom – acceptance and hope are prominent themes in the stages of grief and the Circus act.

“It’s joyful,” Hoops said. “It’s letting go of what we’ve been through, enjoying and rejoicing in what we have to look forward to.”

Hoops said the name of the show is also a nod to how the pandemic impacted performing arts. “So many of us artists just really went from chaos to calm,” she said.

Audience members will sit in physicallydistanced circles, and are encouraged to bring their own pillows, blankets and lawn chairs.

For tickets, visit northfirecircus.com

Adults’ turn for the cap and gown

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July 8, 2021

By Kirk Winter

Twelve very proud graduates were feted virtually by the staff of the AAEC in Haliburton on June 25 with heartfelt speeches and awards recognizing a lot of hard work and perseverance during a worldwide pandemic.

Haydee Billings, Dukota Davidson, Emily Davis, Autumn Duff, Marshall Eady, Amber Goodrich, Nicholas Klochkoff, Dylan Main, Jaime Moore, Stacey Robertson, Destiny Thomsen and Holly Young received their secondary school diplomas and now begin the transition to work, an apprenticeship or post-secondary studies.

Principal Lisa Uuldricks told the students, “I am very sorry that I cannot be presenting this message to you in person. High school graduation is such an amazing time in your life. You have overcome so many challenges, with the pandemic adding so many missed opportunities.”

Uuldricks reminded the students of a line from the Wizard of Oz that says, “No thief, however skillful, can rob one of their knowledge.” Uuldricks told the graduates they had been robbed of many things by the pandemic like social gatherings, haircuts, eating in restaurants and even a proper high school graduation, “but no one can rob you of the knowledge you have gained by walking through the doors of our school.”

AAEC staff told graduates, “It is with heartfelt tears, smiles and good wishes that we send our graduates on their way to their futures.”

The tradition of selecting a valedictorian by staff was suspended this year with teachers wanting to recognize the resilience and effort put in by the entire class in very trying times.

“Lockdowns, isolation, layoffs, illness and loss dominated our County and our country,” staff shared, “and much of this year we met from afar, commiserating together and learning together. We thank you for staying in touch, always having a smile for us, showing your dedication and giving us the gift of your gratitude.”

Graduates were told that, “Family, friends and your classmates are in awe of what you have accomplished during the most difficult times in recent history in our country. Look in front and you will see the best coming towards you; look behind you and you will see all of us supporting you and wishing you well.”

Awards

• Haydee Billings Winner of the Joshua Rewa Award of Distinction

• Emily Davis Winner of the OSSTF Academic Award

• Autumn Duff Winner of the OSSTF Academic Award Winner of the Principal’s Award Nominated for the Joshua Rewa Memorial Post-Secondary Bursary

• Nicholas Klochkoff Winner of the Post Secondary/ Apprenticeship Award Nominated for the Joshua Rewa Memorial Post Secondary Bursary

• Destiny Thomsen Winner of the CUPE Achievement Award

Grads encouraged to be ‘difference makers’

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July 8, 2021

By Kirk Winter

Red Hawk graduates and their families gathered in front of their computer screens to take part in Haliburton Highlands Secondary School’s 2020-2021 virtual graduation June 29.

While students and staff would have preferred an in-person grad, the planning committee pulled out all the stops to make it a night to remember for students who have seen their final two years impacted by a global pandemic.

Principal Chris Boulay told the graduates, “Tonight you will accept one of the most important documents you may ever receive: your high school diploma. We celebrate your achievement and are witnesses to you being honoured. I know I speak on behalf of this entire school community when I say that I am very proud of this graduating class. Today is a moment that you will remember for ever, with you and loved ones all likely watching with pride celebrating the close of a chapter of over 13 years of school and the start of new opportunities, challenges and adventures.”

Boulay thanked donors who made prizes and awards available to graduates, “despite experiencing the harsh economic circumstances of the last two years.”

Boulay spoke of issues overcome by the class. “I want to reflect on the challenges you’ve faced, whether it be with friendships, relationships, loss, shortened sports seasons, a pandemic. I want you to reflect on how you have grown in many ways through these experiences, learning about social injustice and the looming importance of justice, equity, inclusion and diversity. I ask you to reflect on what you learned through these experiences – an appreciation of freedom and democracy, where we live and work, connected with each other in person … be grateful for human connections, for those who mean so much to you.”

Valedictorian Bence Suranyi, who will be attending University of Toronto next year to study computer engineering, told his 112 fellow graduates that when he first entered Grade 9 the school seemed so huge and alien, not knowing any of the teachers and very few of the other students and getting lost in “the maze that is HHSS.”

Suranyi continued, “We are going down very different paths. Whether you are going to post-secondary, doing an apprenticeship or going straight into the workforce we will all be parting ways to some degree after this graduation and that is sad to think about. But, going through four years of high school together cannot be discounted that simply because all the experiences that we have together are truly binding.”

The valedictorian reminded his friends “once a Hawk, always a Hawk. Remember that! We will soar!”

The honours and awards section of the program reflected the depth and breadth of programming offered at HHSS with dozens of students receiving recognition for winning individual subject awards, school letters, certifications in Specialist High Skills Major, extended French certificates, certificates in technological education or being a member of the honour society and achieving an 80 per cent average in their graduating year.

Megan Klose led the way with six individual awards plus the LieutenantGovernor’s Award for Community Service. Daniella Meraw followed a close second with five awards and the Governor General’s Academic Medal for the student graduating with the highest overall average. Emma James was recognized with five subject related awards, followed by Desi Davies with four, April Kovacs with three and Suranyi with three. Boulay issued a challenge at the conclusion of his remarks.

“We wish you productive and happy futures. Celebrate your accomplishments. In the world of Instagram and something called TikTok … leave your mark on the world. Do good, be strong, be a difference maker.”

New Foundation online 50/50 draw

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July 8, 2021

The HHHS Foundation has announced a new monthly online 50/50 lottery draw, with 50 per cent of funds raised going to a monthly winner and 50 per cent to support local hospital and health care facility equipment needs.

Executive director, Lisa Tompkins, said that through a digital technology platform, tickets will be available for purchase online at the Foundation lottery site hhhsf5050.ca beginning June 30 at 11:30 a.m.

She said tickets can be purchased for $20 for 100 ticket numbers, $10 for 20 ticket numbers, or $5 for five ticket numbers.

After buying their tickets, purchasers will receive a confirmation e-mailed with their 50/50 registered numbers from a random selection system. The amount of the 50/50 estimated take-home prize for the month will be displayed in real time on the site and will continue to grow as more people participate.

“Following nine successful years of our Cash for Care Lottery, we look forward to engaging with the community in this electronic format to continue to raise muchneeded funds for priority capital equipment for Haliburton Highlands Health Services,” Tompkins said.

Purchasers must be in Ontario at the time of purchase, and must be 18 years of age or older to participate. For the first draw, tickets will be available for purchase until 11:59 p.m. July 29, and the first monthly draw will take place on July 30 at 9 a.m., with the winner information posted on the hhhsf5050.ca website, as well as the Foundation’s social media platforms Facebook and Instagram

Virtanen leaves strong County tourism legacy

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July 8, 2021

The County of Haliburton will soon be on the hunt for a new director of tourism.

After eight years in the role, Amanda Virtanen is stepping down to pursue another opportunity.

County Warden Liz Danielsen said Virtanen will leave behind a strong legacy.

“Amanda has really made great strides in promoting tourism in Haliburton County in the time she’s been with us,” Danielsen said. “She’s worked hard with all the stakeholders and I think she’s done a lot to bring us all together in a single voice.”

Virtanen played a key role in multiple large-scale tourism projects. Those include multi-year initiatives such as the Haliburton Destination Development Plan, which required extensive collaboration and consultation with the tourism community.

She also assumed the role while the tourism and marketing landscapes were shifting.

“Amanda’s resignation is a tremendous loss for us,” wrote Haliburton County CAO Mike Rutter in an email. “She came to us at a time when industry trends in the way communities marketed themselves were changing dramatically, and Amanda has led us through that transition very effectively.”

Rutter said that the County tracks the success of marketing tactics and initiatives. According to those metrics, Virtanen’s work had a large impact on the desirability of Haliburton as a destination.

“Every sector of our community has benefited from that,” Rutter wrote. “We will certainly miss her contributions to the County management team, and I know the stakeholders who have come to rely on her advice and support will miss her as well.”

Virtanen declined comment

Fresh start for tourism stakeholder group

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July 8, 2021

The Haliburton Tourism Stakeholders Group is evolving, with a new name, mandate and leadership.

Emily Stonehouse and Randy Pielsticker are the new co-chairs of the Haliburton Tourism Action Committee (HaliTAC).

According to Stonehouse, HaliTAC will continue the work of the Tourism Stakeholders Group with a focus on providing insight and direction to County council and the County’s tourism department.

“We can evolve this into something that will really benefit the community,” Stonehouse said. “We always saw the benefits before — it always had this really great energy.”

The previous group provided monthly reports to the County’s Tourism Committee. Now, the independent committee is dissolved and tourism is discussed at the County’s Committee of the Whole meetings. That means HaliTAC won’t be officially connected to County council.

As the organization resumes meetings, HaliTAC will gather input from the County’s tourism community and provide delegations during County of Haliburton council meetings.

Previous chairs Barrie Martin and Bruce Ballentine passed on their positions to Pielsticker and Stonehouse. A prolonged hiatus of the group’s meetings due to COVID-19 gave them time to chart a path forward.

“It needed a refresh,” Pielsticker said. “As much as those meetings before were great, there were a lot of stakeholders who never attended. So, one of our goals for revitalizing this committee is eliminating the barriers to participation.”

Besides revising meeting schedules, annual leadership appointments and more, HaliTAC will tackle large initiatives, including the County’s Destination Management plan. They hope to offer perspectives on the plan which orients Haliburton County as a place “where residents and visitors celebrate the essence of Canada’s outdoor and creative spirit.”

By gathering tourism stakeholders — from restaurant owners, to fishing charters to watersports rentals — Stonehouse said they’ll be well equipped to brainstorm ways to improve and strengthen the industry.

“When you have all these great minds in one room, great things are bound to happen,” Stonehouse said. “We just wanted to continue to expand on that and support that.”

Through delegations, Stonehouse said she’s excited to be able to bring the concerns of the tourism community to County council.

“I want to take what they’re saying, and go into a meeting, and speak on behalf of all these people whose voices haven’t been heard in that space before,” said Stonehouse. That involves distilling the thoughts and needs of the community which arise during HaliTAC meetings.

Plans are underway to launch a community survey and connect with tourism partners – tour operators, rental agencies, restaurants and more ahead of preliminary meetings in the fall. They’ve started work planning a tourism summit to promote Haliburton as a destination.

“It is exciting to see discussions starting about getting the tourism stakeholders together again; the idea of a summit in Haliburton is quite exciting,” Warden Liz Danielsen said, after Pielsticker and Stonehouse presented their plans to council on June 9.

Councillors wary of conduct

Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt called previous member conduct “the elephant in the room.”

She explained how past committee members behaved disrespectfully towards County councillors and County tourism officials.

“It’s great that the tourism stakeholder group reconvened, and recalibrated,” Moffatt said. “Amid the good work that previous group did, toward the end there was a tremendous amount of discord and bickering.”

Stonehouse said that besides terms of reference and a code of conduct, HaliTAC’s method of approaching council through delegations will decrease the discord or pressure on County staff.

“In the form of us doing these delegations there’s a middle ground, where Randy and I listen to people, we come and do the delegations, we talk to County council,” Stonehouse said. “That’s our attempt — to try and have this more formal presence at the County council as representatives of the tourism industry.”

Pielsticker, co-chair of the Tourism Stakeholders Group during the time period Moffat referred to, understood the concerns members expressed: the renewed HaliTAC, Pielsticker said, will play a role in ensuring those concerns are communicated respectfully.

Some issues included the use of the County’s tourism budget, on items and services certain tourism stakeholders felt were unneeded.

“I am not going to justify how they addressed their concerns — that was certainly unprofessional and uncalled for — but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be listening to their concerns,” he said.

Amanda Virtanen, Haliburton County’s former director of tourism, wrote in an email that “councillors look forward to the growth and evolution of HaliTAC and will be open to feedback that comes as a result of stakeholder discussions.”

Immersed in tourism

The pair say they’ll be an effective link between the tourism community and County council.

“We are up to our necks in tourism,” Stonehouse said with a laugh.

Pielsticker, assistant general manager at Sir Sam’s ski hill and mountain bike park, has more than 10 years of outdoor adventure experience leading cycling, mountaineering and paddling expeditions. He’s also vice-president of Adventure Haliburton, a collection of adventure tourism experience providers.

Stonehouse, a long-time Haliburton County resident, works for the custom experiential tourism company Yours Outdoors where she’s constantly in touch with many Haliburton County tourism operators. She also worked for the municipality of Minden Hills.

Stonehouse said it’s the passion and excitement of the industry in Haliburton County which makes her excited to consult and represent tourism stakeholders through HaliTAC.

“The people that live here have their heart here,” she said. “I really want them to be seen, heard, respected and listened to.”-

Community rallies after devastating house fire

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July 8, 2021