A puzzling Mother’s Day for Jarvis family

By

-

May 6, 2021

With Mother’s Day coming up, as well as the anniversary of her mom’s passing, Val Jarvis wanted to come up with a tribute that she could share with her family all across the country.

She said she’s had a photograph of her mom, Mary Jarvis, on her fridge since she passed in 2015.

“As you can tell by my fridge, I love pictures,” she said.

Holding the one of her mom, Jarvis added, “I’ve had it smiling at me since her funeral.”

After discovering The Occurrence, a puzzle factory on Industrial Road in Haliburton, Jarvis began to hatch her idea.

“I couldn’t think of a better gift for my nine siblings than for them all to have the same picture,” she said.

“Thanks to COVID, they all have time to do a 504-piece puzzle.”

The Occurrence makes custom puzzles. Jarvis said the first step was getting some work done on the photo.

“I wanted to thank Luke Schell of The Photo Shop who was able to put the colour back in my mom’s cheeks that the original photographer washed it out with his flash and for scanning and sending her image to the amazing couple who run The Occurrence, Michael Bainbridge and Brigitte Gall.”

Jarvis said she can’t wait to surprise her siblings with the personalized keepsake puzzles.

It was an ordeal just to mail them as she has brothers and sisters in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

“We are so fortunate to have this new and innovative business set up shop in our little town,” she said.

Jarvis joked that her only regret is not getting a puzzle made up for herself.

She shared that the other thing the family has been doing is circulating a family letter since 1991, when her father was killed in a motor vehicle accident.

“Mom would add letter number 11. We kept it up after her death and it makes it around the group every six to eight months. My oldest siblings don’t own computers. We throw in updated photos of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as DVDs of favourite movies or historical articles of interest.”

County split over reopening rail trail to ATVs

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

County council narrowly opted to open its Rail Trail to ATVs May 3 after a split vote, instead of delaying until the scheduled end of the lockdown May 20.

Two concerned citizens, Ray Isaacs and Max Kalinowski, presented to council April 28. They sought a moratorium on vehicle traffic on the trail during the pandemic over concerns about safety and accidents potentially adding to the burden of a strained health care system.

Council did not agree to a moratorium but did take a vote to delay the usual opening of the Rail Trail to ATV traffic. Warden Liz Danielsen and councillors Dave Burton, Andrea Roberts and Brent Devolin voted in favour, while deputy warden Patrick Kennedy, Cec Ryall, Lisa Schell and Carol Moffatt voted against. On a tie vote, the motion was defeated.

“This is indicative of the level of disagreement about the use of this trail we’ve experienced for many years,” Danielsen said.

Isaacs and Kalinowski argued that people will want to use the Rail Trail to enjoy nature during the pandemic. But Isaacs, a retired physician, said mixing pedestrian and ATV traffic can be dangerous. He said any severe accidents could take up health care resources.

“Allowing motorized vehicles on the trails during these circumstances adds a completely unnecessary risk of severe trauma injury at this time,” Isaacs said.

Devolin said he agreed with the importance of the location as a place for people to enjoy nature and the greater number of people can create challenges. But he added the Rail Trail is a vital route and noted that are many other pedestrian-only trails.

“We need to preserve the one interregional artery for motorized recreation,” he said.

Danielsen said the County emergency operations centre (EOC) was also divided on the topic and there are limited reports of major incidents on the route. But she said the EOC discussed how delaying the vehicle opening could help discourage travel during the stay-at-home order.

“It sounds to me like right now it is the best that we could do,” Danielsen said.

Haliburton ATV Association president Joel Bocknek told The Highlander the Rail Trail is not a point of destination for riders, but a way to get between places.

“It’s an opportunity for riders, particularly local to be able to get outside and enjoy the Spring weather,” he said. “ Certainly lends itself to social distancing and the other public health advice.”

Schell said some people may not be able to walk on the trails but could sit on an ATV because of a disability.

“I don’t want to exclude those people,” Schell said. “Provided that there is a mutual respect of all of the users.”

The Rail Trail will opened May 3 to ATVs that have obtained a permit from the Haliburton or Kawartha ATV associations. In a statement, the County asked all users to respect each other and comply with public health recommendations.

Opera in the living room

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

Starting May 2, Highlands Opera Studio (HOS) began releasing 13 newly-recorded concerts that will run over 13 weeks, until July 31.

In an April 27 press release, the HOS said the concerts will feature past and current professional artists, who will share music that is important to them and why.

The mini concerts of 30-40 minutes will span a range of styles and themes and will be available online until the following Saturday of each week.

The cost to purchase a link to a single concert is $10; all 13 concerts are available for $100.

The first concert in the series featured Catherine Daniel, mezzo soprano and Roger Admiral, piano, with music from opera, musical theatre, and traditional spirituals.

HOS general and co-artistic director, Valerie Kuinka said professional fees for the series are supported in part by a bequest from Madame la Juge, Anne-Marie Trahan and private donors.

“During this past year of turmoil, the performing arts have come to a standstill. While we are yet unable to clearly see the end of this pause on collaborative live performance, we want to give these talented young professional artists a chance to reflect and express through their chosen medium, as well as give our loyal audience a taste of what we have all been missing: the beauty of the human voice,” Kuinka said.

Founded in 2007, HOS is an advanced training and professional development performing arts organization which, in a non-pandemic year, presents 17-19 live public events/performances in Haliburton County during its five-to-six-week season in August.

Kuinka said that as well as being a soughtafter organization and destination for Canadian and international emerging opera professionals, HOS is also an important source of community engagement and education for the region.

They provide vocal training through the Highlands Opera Community School, with participation in performances, community outreach, social events, and cultural interaction and enrichment.

They also work with Dysart et al and community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Haliburton and Abbey Gardens, to offer the Highlands Opera Theatre (Studio) to support and build on collaborative community engagement and foster community participation and enrichment through singing and the artform of opera.

For more information, visit highlandsoperastudio.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at HighlandsOpera.

Cottager revamps FYI Haliburton marketing site

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

Tristan Rose has been a Haliburton County cottager for years and says he’s found a way to give back during COVID – by relaunching FYI Haliburton.

Rose’s family has owned a cottage on Stormy Lake since 1986 and he’s spent his summers growing up by the lake and enjoying the local community, restaurants, events and other businesses.

He said he also spends time in the winters enjoying snowmobiling and ice fishing so he’s spent a lot of time in the area.

He added he’s always supported the local economy.

“I spent a few years living in small town Ontario myself and I understand the importance of supporting local owners and workers in order to ensure the local economy thrives,” he said.

“There are so many amazing businesses and people who work for them that rely solely on being successful to put food on their tables, raise their children, and achieve their goals.”

He said while FYI Haliburton is not his only business interest, it is a project he has become heavily involved in after purchasing the site and he’d like to continue improving upon it for the foreseeable future.

The new website was launched on April 11 after about two months of hard work, Rose said.

“The old site was outdated and was not even mobile friendly but had approximately 400 businesses. So far, he said he’s received very positive feedback from people who knew the old site as well as new businesses looking for exposure.

“The website was built to be simple to find information and most importantly be an affordable advertising platform. People have been saying that they are happy to see an affordable option, that supports local businesses especially in these difficult times.”

Rose said COVID has hit small businesses hard as many have been forced to either shut their doors or rely on curbside pickup options. However, there are many businesses that are still able to operate but with limited capacities.

“The goal of FYI Haliburton is to direct customers to businesses through online avenues to draw attention to them and increase revenue instead of just directing them to big box stores,” he said.

He added that FYI Haliburton has a history of advertising for local businesses and has the highest ranking on a Google search.

“What this means is the highest possible exposure for those businesses who have signed up.”

On a listing page with FYI, businesses have their own full page with interactive and customizable features such as a photo gallery, maps with directions, contact information, and a simple contact form that goes directly to them.

“All of the information is in one place making it easy for residents and tourists alike to shop local. Registration only takes minutes with the easy to fill out form and built-in secure checkout system,” he said.

See fyihaliburton.com for more information.

Nick’s new location strikes the right chord

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

Haliburton Guitar Studio owner Nick Russell is not hatching his business in ideal circumstances but said it feels great to find a new home.

A product of the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC) business incubator the past three years, the studio moved into its own office April 1.

The music lesson and repair studio has moved into Halco Plaza at 83 Maple Ave. Russell has to keep his doors closed for now due to COVID-19 health restrictions but said he is happy with the space.

“While I think it needs to be a little bit cozier and funkier, it’s a suitable spot in a great downtown location and it checks a lot of boxes,” he said. “Very happy with it.”

The local guitarist has seen the success of his studio highlighted by HCDC. The business was also featured nationally by the Community Futures Network of Canada in its annual report last year.

Russell said having multiple sources of revenue has helped him succeed, with both teaching and post-production work part of his operation. He added he receives plenty of support as a local.

“Moving back to home for me, a more rural area, I was kind of overwhelmed with the support my business received,” Russell said. “It’s been really great so far.”

HCDC business incubator coordinator Jim Blake said Russell was eager to learn how to run a business and successfully leveraged the connections he had to the community.

“Nick is really skilled at what he does, so he’s built a reputation,” Blake said. “He is also a known quantity.”

Russell cannot meet students face-to-face amidst the lockdown and has had to grapple with the impacts of the pandemic. He said he has gotten by with remote lessons and post-production work, though he noted challenges in expanding his client base and connecting with students who have poor internet.

“It’s almost like the year’s a writeoff,” Russell said. “But luckily, I’m not going anywhere. My clients aren’t going anywhere. We’re just kind of waiting for things to equalize a little bit.”

Russell has kept himself plenty busy, including releasing a self-produced album entitled Archtop March 1. It was produced remotely, with its bass recordings done by a friend in Spain. “I’m really happy with the end result,” Russell said. “It was a true COVID project.”

Despite the difficult circumstances, Russell said it is important for people to continue producing art and he hopes it can help his students.

“You look at challenging times in history, often some of the best art is created,” Russell said. “Practicing music – although there’s no outlet for performance – can provide kind of like a stabilized, healing effect. Because it’s something that’s wholesome, something that’s progressive and something that is ultimately enjoyable”

Homebound seniors get vaccines

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

Close-up medical syringe with a vaccine.

Little Redstone Lake resident David Baker said the vaccine he had eagerly awaited for his homebound wife finally arrived April 27.

Baker had tried for weeks to secure a vaccine for Linda Guest, a senior chronic homecare patient who could not attend a mass immunization clinic.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Heath Unit prioritized mobile clinics at the end of April and the Haliburton County Paramedic Service delivered the Moderna vaccine to homebound patients last week.

“I’m happy she got it,” Baker said. “But in my opinion, she should have got hers a lot sooner. But most Canadians should be angry that getting a vaccine out has been much slower than it should have been.”

Medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking said the health unit focused on getting vaccines to congregate care settings through mobile clinics. They also reached homebound populations through EMS partnerships in the district last week. She said supply has been an issue, adding they specifically use the Moderna vaccine due to ease of transportation.

“We know the Moderna shipments that are coming into the County were delayed,” Bocking said. “I appreciate that it’s been frustrating for some facilities and residents … We’re trying to work as quickly as we can, based on our supply.”

Haliburton County Paramedic Service chief and director Tim Waite reported to County council April 28. He said they worked with the health unit to produce a list of patients based on community paramedicine clients. They were able to secure Moderna vaccines and deliver them.

“It’s good news,” Warden Liz Danielsen said. “I know that will alleviate concerns of a number of seniors and their family members.”

Baker said he has no complaints about the frontline workers and faults supply chain issues.

“The people that are actually on the front lines doing it, they’re all great,” he said. “They were just as frustrated as people like me that they didn’t have the product to be able to give vaccines to people in a more timely manner.”

Waite said EMS has a process in place now and they would collaborate with the health unit to ensure patients get their second doses within the time required.

Baker said he hopes that happens as soon as possible.

“Like so many things, we’re somewhat in the dark,” Baker said. “I’m sure they’re every bit as hopeful that they can get second doses to people like Linda more quickly.”

School board awaits guidance for fall

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

by Kirk Winter

The local school board expects to have more information in late May about what the 2021-2022 school year is going to look like.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) director of education, Wes Hahn, told the April 27 board meeting that planning for the fall “is tough right now.” He said one missing link was the Ministry of Education setting a funding model.

“We would like to be discussing budget and staffing but we have not received our GSNs (grant for student needs that specify how much money the board will get per pupil) and we really can’t do one without the other,” Hahn said.

The GSNs were announced May 4. The announcement includes a year-over-year increase of approximately $561 million, to a total of $25.6 billion, with per-pupil funding increasing from $12,525 to $12,686.

The first step of enrolling students in their online schools is underway, Hahn said. However, the board doesn’t know how much money there’ll be for virtual learning. They anticipate fewer students learning from home but need more information to plan. Hahn said they are also garnering parent feedback.

The province also announced May 4 that students can opt to take all their classes online when the new school year begins in September.

The province says the option will be available for the entire 2021-2022 school year and it will be providing more information to parents in the coming months.

Hahn said, “If cohorting is necessary next year, we want to create a model that causes minimal disruption for students, likely something similar to this year. We are waiting for vaccines to help bring back some kind of normalcy in the system.”

He said the back-and-forth has been challenging.

“Students, staff and parents have found this hard. We have to take our lead from the ministry and public health. We are having to react to what they recommend. It is not a great situation but this is the course we must follow.”

He also recognized staff in schools during the stay-at-home order, working with special education students. He said the board has 74 elementary and 85 secondary students in its programs.

He added some staff have been vaccinated but the pace is not what they might have liked, due to supply issues.

Haliburton trustee Gary Brohman said “the hardest thing to do is planning. But if planning isn’t done well nothing else happens.”

Trustee John Byrne wanted more information on the board’s plan for virtual learning. He said Durham Region asked its parents to commit to one option or the other by May 4.

“When will we be making decisions with or without knowing what our GSNs will be?” he asked.

Hahn said most boards are in the same boat as they are.

“We are looking at all sorts of situations. It would be very nice to know what the ministry was thinking. Some boards like Durham have been forced to staff early for next year based on dates contained in their collective agreements. We would like to avoid that, because it might force lastminute timetabling and staffing changes in the fall. We want to create the best learning we can which will begin by registering all students at their home schools and then we may need to pivot from there.”

Residents feeling sting of high material prices

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

Local builders and residents are feeling the pinch of high material costs, but housing demand is keeping business steady.

The cost of lumber and construction materials have skyrocketed in recent months, part of an upward trend throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A common 2 x 4 western spruce-pine-fir is at $1,330 (USD) per thousand board feet as of April 23 – nearly twice the 52-week average of $773.

Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) vice-president Glenn Evans said those costs can hurt contractors when they lock in project prices months in advance.

“These volatile price increases, it’s difficult to maneuver that when you’re already locked into a price,” Evans said. “It’s impacted the construction industry, I would say right across the board. Doesn’t matter who you are, how you operate. It’s having a negative impact.”

But builders remain busy thanks to a booming real estate market, which Evans said often goes together with the construction sector. Real estate company Royal LePage said March 23 after a 16 per cent increase in home prices in Canada’s recreational property regions in 2020, it projects another 15 per cent increase in 2021.

“Life during the pandemic has made cottage country and country living more desirable than ever,” Royal LePage president and CEO Phil Soper said. “Canadians young and old [are looking for] properties with more space, easy access to nature, and the ability to achieve that everelusive work-life balance.”

“It’s a little bewildering that the price of materials hasn’t seemed to slow down the demand yet, but that’s the reality,” Evans said. “People are still seeking to leave the city.”

That has made it a “very positive market” for builders, Evans said. With properties up for sale drying up, he said people are turning to vacant lots or teardowns to build the new home they are looking for.

Although the pandemic’s end could be coming, Evans said he does not foresee prices falling anytime soon. He said there are other factors to the price increases, such as large forest fires.

“I’m not convinced you’re going to go back to a pre-pandemic kind of price,” he said. “They will recede to a degree, but I’m not convinced you’re going to see prices plummet.”

Although companies might be able to bear the increases, he said the “do-it-yourself” projects are the ones that will take a hit.

“To build a little deck that used to be $700 or $800 for materials pre-pandemic is now $2,000,” Evans said. “That really takes you back when you experience that.”

Commission calls out long-term care failures

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

The Haliburton-City of Kawartha Lakes Long-Term Care Coalition praised a report from a provincial commission highlighting systematic failure in the sector.

Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission released its final report April 30. The province tasked it July 2020 with investigating the state of the province’s long-term care (LTC) homes after hundreds of COVID-19-related deaths in the early days of the pandemic.

The report highlights the province as illprepared for the crisis and that the sector was an easy target for outbreaks after decades of neglect.

For coalition member Bonnie Roe, the information is not surprising.

“The neglect of our elderly has been systemic for probably 30 years,” Roe said.

The commission said there were numerous warnings LTC needed a significant overhaul and much of the infrastructure was outdated. It makes 85 recommendations for addressing LTC and pandemic preparedness, including a comprehensive inspection regime, increased funding, improving the level of care and licensees making counselling available for residents and staff.

Although the commission notes many of the issues were longstanding, it also lays blame at the current government for a slow response to the first wave of the pandemic and a lack of preparation for the second wave.

In a press release, Minister of LongTerm Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton said the province is already making improvements and vaccinations have decreased outbreaks at homes.

“There’s no question that residents and staff at long-term care homes and their families were disproportionally impacted by COVID-19,” Fullerton said. “We cannot let their experience be in vain – and we won’t.”

Advocates such as Roe and the Ontario Health Coalition have been calling for reform and the end of for-profit care. But the commission fell short of recommending that, stating that although COVID-19 has undermined their reputation, private “mission-driven” enterprises have a part to play going forward.

“The commission accepts that there are owners of ‘for-profit’ homes, mostly those that are mission-driven, who provide good care to their residents,” the report said.

“To me, that’s a step backwards considering how progressive the rest of the report is,” Roe said. “I don’t think profit should be involved in any way.”

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) president and CEO Carolyn Plummer said the report is a “critical step in the right direction.” She said many of the report’s recommendations are already happening at their homes, but more work – and funding – will be needed for others.

“I am hopeful that this report will help form the basis for meaningful change,” Plummer said.

Roe said she is unsure of whether this report will bring about change.

“It could happen, I think, if the political will was there, and that’s what we need to see,” Roe said. “There’s a true lack of respect and I truly hope that maybe, with more public pressure, that the government will listen.”

LTC petition gains traction

The coalition is mounting that pressure, garnering more than 2,400 signatures for a petition after three weeks of circulation.

The petition is in support of ensuring four hours of direct care per resident per day; increasing infection prevention and health care expertise; improving working conditions; reinstating thorough inspections with consistent enforcement; changing nursing home culture to being more resident-centred, family/caregiver-centred, and rights-based; and taking the profit motive out of long-term care.

The petition is online and at Minden Pharmasave.

“We are very encouraged with this incredible level of support for fixing long-term care.” Said Haliburton resident and coalition member Lyn Ritchie, who was key in drafting the petition.

Kawartha Lakes representative, Mike Perry, added “fixing long-term care is topof-mind for local residents. The survey numbers demonstrate the level of concern.”

The coalition, formed last May, has received support from Concerned Citizens of Haliburton County, the Canadian Federation of University Women and Haliburton County Council.

The group said it is awaiting a motion of support from Haliburton Highlands Health Services.

The petition is available at ltcneedsyou.ca or by contacting Roe at 705-286-2414.

Chamber pushes for more paid sick days

By

Lisa Gervais

-

May 6, 2021

0

The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is advocating for governments to put more support into sick day initiatives.

The province unveiled a sick days’ program April 28, providing employers up to $200 for up to three days per employee. It aims to help keep ill workers home during the pandemic but falls short of the two weeks of sick days Ontario’s COVID19 Science Advisory Table has highlighted as key.

Chamber president Andrea Strano said it is a step in the right direction and a lot of local small businesses will take advantage of it. However, she said the days do not run long enough.

“I am not certain that three days will deter people from staying home if they are right on the edge, from paycheque to paycheque,” Strano said. “There needs to be longer support in place.”

The province will reimburse employers through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), running retroactively from April 19 to Sept. 25. The province is also pushing to add funding to the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit program (CRSB), which supports people not working due to self-isolation.

“It is a tremendously positive step that the federal government has signaled their willingness to continue discussions on the CRSB. Now, we can fix the outstanding gap,” Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton said in a press release.

Strano said that proposal is encouraging but does not address other shortcomings, such as processing delays. She also said there is some confusion about who qualifies for reimbursement under WSIB.

“The process should be easy and seamless,” Strano said.

Businesses cannot bear the brunt of paying for more sick days, Strano said. She said her organization supports a program paid for by the government during the pandemic.

“Most small business owners are challenged enough,” she said. “They need all the help they can get to ensure their staff can take the time off they need.”

In a joint statement, Strano and Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO Rocco Rossi said more changes are needed.

“We would like to see all levels of governments open to further adjustments of their programs – as they have been with other programs rolled out in the pandemic – to ensure programs meet the needs of workers and the market in the Haliburton Highlands,” they said.