The Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) held its 2024 Better Newspaper Competition awards banquet in Niagara Falls April 11, with The Highlander recognized in seven categories – including two first place finishes.

The only locally owned newspaper in Haliburton County scored top honours for Best News Story and Best Headline Writing, placed second in Feature Writing and Environment Ontario, and third for General Excellence and Best Feature/News Series.

The paper also received an honourable mention for Best Front Page.

There were significant changes to the awards structure this year, with publications split into three categories rather than four. This year, awards were separated for those with circulations 1,500 and under, between 1,501 and 8,000, and 8,001 and up. Previously, classes were set at 1,999 and under, 2,000 to 6,499, 6,500 to 12,499, and 12,500 and up.

This change saw The Highlander competing on the upper end of the scale for the first time, alongside major outlets from across the province. Publisher Heather Kennedy said it was nice to see the local newspaper stand up against other, more circulated publications.

Editor Lisa Gervais was credited for her “great work” covering the story of Haliburton Highlands OPP detonating explosives found at a cottage in Algonquin Highlands, earning first for Best News Story. The paper also won the Best Headline Writing award for ‘Getting the scoop on Kawartha Dairy.’

Assistant editor Mike Baker took second in Environment Ontario for a feature story breaking down the first year of shoreline preservation and site alteration bylaws in Haliburton County.

Gervais’ first-person account of the final bus service TOK Coachlines ran from Haliburton to Toronto scooped second in Feature Writing, with the judge saying it “made for an enjoyable read.”

She was also awarded third in Best Feature/News Series for a five-page spread featuring three news stories and an editorial on deer feeding in Dysart.

After three straight first-place finishes for general excellence from 2021 to 2023, The Highlander settled for third in this year’s awards.

“Well done Highlander team for a great newspaper” the judges wrote.

The folks who’ve brought ice fishing hut, lobby, and restaurant makeovers, to Haliburton County are back with a new contest.

Starting today (April 17) until May 19, people can nominate a bunkie on their property for a makeover by ACM Designs.

Founder and principal designer, Andria Cowan Molyneaux said, “I’ve actually wanted to do bad bunkie for a few years. I think it’s really fun and funky for what is probably the most cottage space of the cottage. It’s quintessential.”

Another reason Cowan Molyneaux likes the pivot to a bunkie, from a larger business space, is “I love the fact we can have a big impact; to transform a building into the place that people fight over because it is smaller. But in keeping with traditional ACM style, we need to make it fun and wacky and really approachable because that’s who we are. We are professional and very technical, but we are very approachable, and we are really part of this community.”

She is also looking forward to the opportunity of getting out onto Highlands’ lakes. “Usually, cottages that are on the lake have bunkies. These are the extra sleeping quarters, and that’s fun. When we do these programs or campaigns, the great thing is the more over the top, or entertaining the entries are, the more they catch our eye and then we bring it down to the three finalists, and then it goes out to the community to choose. So, it’s not really us choosing, It’s a competition. That’s fun,”

She said with big lobby, and big restaurant, it was about helping other businesses.

“In this case, this is about increasing our exposure and doing it in a fun and playful way. We get to showcase what we’re really great at, as both big lobby and restaurant makeover have won multiple awards for design and execution, so that’s very exciting, and being able to do that now in a bunkie is an exciting opportunity.”

Cowan Molyneaux added, “it keeps us local. This is part of our marketing strategy. It’s (bunkies) certainly part of the culture here. Typically, a bunkie is at a cottage. A cottage is a second property. Those people that have cottages are a huge part of our County. If we don’t acknowledge that, then we’re being naive, and we’re also being disrespectful. It’s a way for us to engage that part of this community that cares and gives for Haliburton very much.”

They don’t have design ideas yet. That will only come when they see the winning entry. “It’s relevant to its location, its environment, to the primary building; you want it to be harmonious, and it needs to reflect the owners. It’s not about causing great shock and awe. It’s about taking a space and making it function for its intended use and making it aesthetically pleasing.

“We Canadians have had a helluva’ few months, and for a lot of people coming here, whether they’re short or long-term residents, part of this place is about being welcoming and cozy. Being able to make the bunkie cozy and a super awesome spot will provide some respite from a lot of the stress we’re feeling right now,” the designer added.

To submit photos and or videos, DM the Bad Bunkie Makeover, Facebook page or email nicole@acm-designs.com Finalists will be announced May 23. The contest is valued up to $40,000.

Haliburton County is looking forward to hosting Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) 55+ District 11 games this summer.

They are open to men and women who are 55-plus years of age as of Dec 31, 2025.

They kick off with bid euchre, May 5 at 1 p.m. at the Minden Curling Club, at 50 Prentice St. in Minden. The local convenor is Beverly Johnson. As the district also comprises Muskoka, there will be bid euchre in Gravenhurst May 2.

Euchre then takes centre stage, May 12 at 1 p.m., at the Minden Curling Club, with Johnson convening this event as well. The Gravenhurst games are May 9.

There is a bowling event in Bracebridge on May 20.

May 21, at 1 p.m., sees five-pin bowling action at Minden Fast Lane Bowling, at 12281 Hwy. 35 in Minden. Larry Baadsvik is the convenor.

The Kinmount Legion, at 5074 Haliburton County Rd. 503 in Kinmount, provides the venue for cribbage, with play starting at noon May 29. Donna Teravainen is running the show.

The ever-popular pickleball will be held at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, at 55 Parkside St. in Minden, on June 3, kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Jennifer Coates is overseeing the action.

Tennis is next up, this event taking place June 10 from 8 a.m. at the Stanhope Courts, at 1123 North Shore Rd. in Algonquin Highlands. Marianne Fenninger is taking care of the organizing of this event.

For 18 holes of golf, seniors can sign up for June 11 at 9:30 a.m. for a round at the picturesque Blairhampton Golf Course at 1577 Duck Lake Rd. Minden. Jere Pike is the organizer.

Shuffleboard is in Gravenhurst, June 12 at 10 a.m.

The games wind up with walking/Nordic walking on June 13 at 9 a.m. from the Haliburton docks, on Highland Street in Haliburton. Jane Symons and Sharon Ferris are looking after this competition.

The deadline to register is two weeks before the event date. You must be an active OSGA member for the 2025 season. You have to join or renew your membership to take part. The membership fee is $15. There is also a District 11 participation fee of $10 to cover operational expenses associated with the games.

Spokesperson Jennifer Coates says the games are about being active and getting involved in the community.

Coates said folks should ask themselves, “do you have the time to have fun in a competitive, non-threatening setting? Are you seeking opportunities to socialize and meet new friends? Do you feel young and energetic?”

District game winners qualify for the provincials in Sudbury, Aug. 5-7.

Coates said they are also always looking for volunteers, new sports, and venues.

The games were incorporated in 1997 and there are traditionally 18-plus summer events and 10-plus winter events.

People can register online via osga55plus. ca

Contact Jennifer Coates at 705-7493787 or jennifercoates148@gmail.com for information about the events or registration.

ICE STORM 2025

Andy Forrest washed his hair – not once, but twice – April 7 as he luxuriated in his first shower in 10 days at the Minden Hills warming centre.

The East Moore Lake resident was on day 10 of no electricity and although he has a generator, it is not hooked up to his hot water heater.

He did have a couple of bird baths at the sink, but was not keen on a cold shower, saying, “I’m allergic to them, I break out in goosebumps.”

Emerging from the front doors of the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, which has housed a 24-hour warming centre since the afternoon of March 31 – and is still going 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as of press time – Forrest said he’d been advised by Hydro One his power would be on by 9 p.m. April 8. However, he had heard that before with messages to his spotty cell phone service. He said he had yet to see a Hydro One truck on his road. He admitted we was “getting tired of it.”

They have a woodstove, and a generator, but it only runs in six hours-on, six hoursoff shifts. Propane is running low and they’d already shelled out $1,100.

But, at least, he felt clean for the first time since the ice storm on Monday – hoping he would not have to come back for a warming centre shower.

Angelique Short usually comes to the rec centre to use the walking track, but was this week using Wi-Fi. She has been without power, internet and phone service for a spell and it was cold. She was having a coffee and eating a snack. Philosophically, she thought the experience was about “learning to know what it is like to have less. Sleeping in a place like this makes you appreciate you have a little more, and if you can get through this, you can get through anything.”

Centre still open 14 hours a day

Staff bonding

Nabanita Mondal, a Minden Hills planning technician, is one of many municipal employees who have been staffing the centre. She’s been there every day with the exception of Sunday. She has done it all: greeted people and signed them in; given them shower tokens; aided in the kitchen; provided food and beverages; helped people get clean drinking water; and pointed out places to connect devices.

A new employee, Mondal said it was a unique way to get to know other township, as well as County of Haliburton, staff. “We all came together. It gives a sense of community service as well.” She said she would look back and say, “remember that time we were making soup and chopping garlic?”

In the kitchen, Mondal joins Krista McAlpine, Donelda Smith, and Kerrah Folls.

“A lot of cooking,” McAlpine, “the head chef,” said of the experience, including vats of soup and chili, sandwiches, waffles, French toast and eggs.

McAlpine said she now had new friends in a township that has scattered departments. “We don’t cross paths, so when you all get thrown into this, you get to know each other’s personalities.”

Amanda Dougherty, the township’s planner by day, added, “obviously nobody wants to be in a situation where the community needs a warming centre, but it’s been pretty rewarding to be able to be here. We’re seeing a lot of community members. We’re getting good feedback. It’s nice to be able to help them in a different way.”

In the hall, Lisa Bjorkquist of Hydro One was busy at a table. She was asked for an interview, but declined, saying she was too busy, and The Highlander believed her.

Director of community services, Candace McGuigan said that as of April 6, 444 people had utilized the warming centre since opening.