Herlihey Park a ‘living tribute’

October 2, 2025

Returning to the site she frequented regularly as a child, Carol Marcus said the newly-unveiled Herlihey Park in Wilberforce is a touching tribute to her parents, Beatrice and Harold Herlihey, who played a key role in the hamlet’s growth in the early-to-mid-1900s.

For years, Harold was the general manager at Wilberforce Veneer and Lumber, which once sat on the same approximate footprint as the new seven-acre community park; Beatrice, meanwhile, was a schoolteacher and principal who also launched figure skating and swimming clubs that still exist today.

In 2017, Marcus and her late husband, Karl, donated the land overlooking Dark Lake, valued at $400,000, to the township to develop a park. Seven years on, Marcus was back in the community that helped shape her, and her sister Gloria, during their formative years.

“It’s so lovely for me to be here today, to see old school friends… and the transformation of this space,” Marcus said during the park’s unveiling Sept. 26. “I have a lot of memories from this place, my sister and I had a perfect childhood… we’re delighted to give something back to this community, something that can be enjoyed by all.”

Highlands East mayor Dave Burton said the Herlihey Park project has been a major focus for council, with the township putting money away since 2018 to support development. The federal government contributed $80,000 and the province gave $20,000 through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

He felt it was important the township spruce up the area, saying the land has a rich industrial legacy that shaped the Wilberforce community as we know it.

“From the early days of producing fruit baskets and hockey sticks to its role as a vital economic engine supplying hardwood and softwood veneer, the mill was a cornerstone of Wilberforce’s identity,” Burton said. “Despite facing many challenges, it remained a symbol of resilience and hard work deeply woven into the fabric of our history.”

There’s evidence of a sawmill operating around Dark Lake dating back to 1909, owned by James Sauder and Joseph Spears. The Herliheys got involved a short time later – Carol said her grandfather, Frank Herlihey, also owned and operated a mill on McCue Lake in Tory Hill.

After the Second World War, Jack Wallace became a partner and, together, the owners built the veneer plant, which for years served as the town’s largest employer, boasting 70 full-time workers.

In 1968, the mill was bought by Ted Samuel and Joe Klasner, who owned other wood-based operations in Orono. The site was operational until the mid-2000s and was torn down in 2012.

Marcus shared one story that always stuck from her father’s time running the plant.

“There was a break-in one night – Suzanne Klapow, the secretary, was there alone when two men came into the office asking for a job. She was in the middle of putting the workers’ pay in envelopes, but gave the men applications to fill out, which they did,” Marcus said.

“But then they saw all this money, held Suzanne up, locked her in the walk-in vault and when my dad returned from a Rotary meeting in Haliburton, he had to help her out.

“They called the police, who quickly apprehended the two men because they put all their correct details on their job application,” Marcus said, drawing laughs.

Burton said last week’s unveiling was the culmination of the park’s first phase, with more on the way. The Haliburton County Master Gardners are partnering on a multiyear natural regeneration of the site, while Burton said there are plans to install a pavilion and additional walking trails.

“Herlihey Park is much more than just a beautiful space – it’s a living tribute to our shared history, the community’s resilience and the generosity of the Marcus family,” Burton said. “Their gift has transformed this from a site of industry into a place of connection, reflection and recreation.”

A generational experience

Submitted

October 2, 2025

The Haliburton Highlands Studio Tour offers a unique, complimentary experience, inviting visitors to traverse the Highlands, immerse themselves in the vibrant autumn palette, and connect with an array of gifted artists. Guests are welcomed into the creative spaces where inspiration is born, and artistic visions take shape.

“It is important to bring business into the County, and give back to the community,” said Joyce PruysersEmmink, co-director of the tour and participating artist. “And this, the 38th year, is the largest tour since it started, with 36 studios, 46 artists and 26 locations.”

Peter Emmink, himself a participating artist and co-director of the tour, explains that there are two pathways for artists wishing to be part of the tour: “You have to live up here, or apply as a guest artist.”

Jen Hodges, an abstract artist and guest participant, fondly remembers attending the tour as a child with her mother and grandmother. “…memories of coming to the family cottage, driving through the Highlands, seeing the beautiful colours and checking out the different studios and artists.” Years later, when she saw the call for artists, she reached out to Peter for more information. Encouraged to apply, and honoured to be invited to showcase her work, Hodges described her acceptance as a dream come true.

Pruysers-Emmink notes that a dedicated committee curates the tour, striving for a diverse range of skills and craftsmanship. “The process also includes the impact the work has, the ‘wow’ factor.” Artists initially apply, and those who stand out are invited to present their pieces in person to the committee. Success at this stage results in an official invitation to join the tour.

Hodges recalls that the entire selection process took only a few months. “I didn’t know how long it would take for them to make a decision, but they called me back at the time of the showing and congratulated me on my acceptance.” It was at the jurying of her pieces she met Shelley van Nood, a quilter, who offered to share her space for the tour with Hodges.

Another guest artist, Tracey Lee Green—a Métis nature artist—has participated in the tour for a number of years, first as a blacksmith and more recently as a painter and mixed media creator. “It never ceases to amaze me the work that goes into the tour,” she said. “The people who bring it to the public work exceptionally hard 365 days of the year, which is why it is so successful.”

Green emphasizes the enduring importance of studio tours, even in an era dominated by technology and social media. She likens the tradition to the “early days of social media,” when artists opened their studios to share their process, environment, and creative inspirations. The heart of a studio tour, she believes, lies in personal interaction— connecting with fellow artists, meeting prospective collectors, and building relationships face-to-face. This connection, for Green, led to the offer to share studio space with photographer Corin Ford Forrester, for the tour.

“I attended the tours for many years, and it was so inspiring for me as a creative person,” reflects Green, “that I wanted to be that person who inspired others.”

The studio tour unfolds over the first two weekends of October, welcoming visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It’s an opportunity to encounter some of the region’s most distinctive and passionate artists, and to witness firsthand the inspiration and artistry behind their work. And, for a second consecutive year, Boshkung Brewing will produce a limited-edition beer for the tour, available at selected studios. Official brochures are available at businesses across the Highlands and online at https://www. thestudiotour.ca/.

Bringing Younique fits to Haliburton

Submitted

October 2, 2025

Haliburton entrepreneur Chrissy Moore said it’s a Younique experience for shoppers anytime they step through the doors of her new Highland Street business.

Her women’s clothing boutique, Younique You, moved into 160 Highland St. in June, taking over the space that one housed Handmade Heaven and, before that, The Source.

It’s a second location for the brand, after Moore launched her first store in her hometown of Midland in 2022. She closed that spot in January, a month before relocating to the Highlands to be closer to her partner, who works at Haliburton Chrysler.

She said her business is a true boutique – everything she carries is one-of-a-kind.

“It’s different than a typical clothing store, where you see multiples of the same thing. If I’m getting a shirt or a sweater to bring in, I just get the one. People that shop in boutiques like the fact that not everybody in town is going to have the same outfit,” she said.

That means people have to be quick if they see something they like. One customer recently had their eye on an item but decided against buying it. After reconsidering, they returned the next day only to learn it had been sold.

“I make a point of telling people about that now. Once something is gone, it’s gone,” Moore said.

She carries clothing for women of all ages – Moore said her youngest customer this summer was eight years old, while her oldest was 97.

It’s been a “weird summer” the business owner said – some weeks it’s felt like she’s been busy from open to close, while others she’s lucky if she sees more than a couple people. Now that she’s a bit more established, Moore said she’s noticing a lot more repeat customers walking through her doors.

“I’m seeing a lot of locals, people who live here year-round. They’re stoked to have another clothing store in town,” she said.

Moore carries brands from all over the world – Kut from the Kloth denim from the U.S., wares from Danish companies Saint Tropez, b.young, Ichi and Fransa, and even some made-in-Haliburton options courtesy of Artistic Threads. She updates her stock monthly, with a new fall line coming in September.

She also sells accessories like sunglasses, hats, mitts and scarves and also carries natural skincare products.

As the sole employee, Moore said she’s always around if anyone wants to stop by to talk fashion or ask about clothing options. She orders from an agency in Toronto, so can bring certain lines or products in if she knows there’s interest.

Despite hearing horror stories from other business owners about how slow things are through winter, Moore said she’ll be open year-round. The store is open six days a week, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I may reduce hours a bit if things get really quiet… but I’m here for the long haul. I’m not really looking to expand or do anything differently, just looking forward to building a clientele and giving people in Haliburton another choice when it comes to fashion,” she said.

Artist pays tribute to AJ Casson

Lisa Gervais

October 2, 2025

As a young teen, David Douglas used to ride his bike into the Kitchener countryside looking for images to paint.

He packed paint and water, a sketchbook, and a 35mm camera, along with a sandwich.

He looked for properties that had telephone lines, indicating the inhabitants were not Mennonite. The Mennonites would not have a pick-up truck to give him a lift back to town. If he saw something he wanted to paint, such as a tractor in a field, he would knock on the front door and ask for permission to enter the grounds.

On one of his excursions, he went into a shed with one family’s kid and found a painting of trilliums on a piece of wood.

“And in the corner, it had AJ Casson,” Douglas said.

He went home and declared he’d seen an AJ Casson. His father doubted him, but his mom asked him if he thought it was indeed the work of a famous Group of Seven painter. He did. She encouraged him to phone the Art Gallery of Ontario.

After discussing the painting with a key staff member there – who said Casson was at the AGO that very day – the woman said that based on the description, it was definitely one of Casson’s early silkscreen works. She was also very interested in the fact the teenaged Douglas was a watercolour painter.

“I went off on my tangent about my watercolour painting, and efficiency of brush, laying down washes. She said ‘this is so exciting’.” Next thing he knew, the woman gave him Casson’s home phone number, saying, “he’ll really want to talk to you. He loves kids and you’re just exactly who he wants to know exists because he’s worried about the future of watercolour in Canada.”

So, Douglas called him up, and they chatted for about 30 minutes. Douglas said “we talked about the difference between being an artist and painter, our favourite colours, painting on location and using quality materials and even about Haliburton County,” where Douglas cottaged and Casson had been to as a painter.

The two exchanged phone calls from timeto-time over a number of years. Douglas is just now (some 50 years later) talking about his connection with the artist, who died in 1992 as it’s only now dawning on him how special it was.

Douglas is just back from Halifax, Nova Scotia where his painting, My Pine Tree’s Legacy, is being shown as part of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) 100th anniversary juried show. Casson is one of the founders of the CSPWC. There were more than 300 entries and 40-plus were selected.

Douglas, who has been living on Redstone for close to 20 years, and prior to that, cottaging on Gull Lake since 1956, added, “I’ve always been a painter in watercolours.” When it comes to his subject matter, Douglas says, “the strength of most of my work is – if I don’t have a story, or it hasn’t got something underneath it that’s really worth telling – I generally don’t paint it.”

He tells the tale about the painting now in Halifax, and how, at the age of eight, he saved the five-foot, half dead, pine tree from people who wanted to break it up and burn it. The tree still stands today: a 75-foot legacy (still half dead on one side).

My Pine Tree’s Legacy and the work of 40-plus others are on view at Teichert Gallery in Halifax until Oct. 2. It’s all been a bit of a full circle moment for Douglas, who said “I think AJ would be pleased that the CSPWC is 100 years young and that I had one of my watercolours chosen to be part of such a huge celebration. He was such a wonderful person to know.”

Douglas is at cre8tivewrks.ca

Fallen fire chief honoured in Ottawa

Mike Baker

October 2, 2025

Standing in Ottawa’s Memorial Park, surrounded by hundreds of fellow firefighters and families of those who have fallen, Haliburton’s Chris Iles said he was humbled thinking about the sacrifices people make every day to protect their communities.

The Iles clan were in the nation’s capital Sept. 7 to watch as family patriarch, Mike Iles, had his name added to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial. He died in November 2022 following a year-long battle with lung cancer – a disease he contracted following three decades of firefighting in Haliburton County.

Iles was one of 138 names inscribed into the monument last month. Chris, Iles’ son, was there alongside his mom, Wendy, sister Tessa, son Joe, girlfriend Carrie, and her son Blake.

“It was a heavy, emotionally-charged day. It really humbles me and puts things into perspective that 138 people put it all on the line,” Chris told The Highlander.

Firefighting is in the Iles’ blood. Joe Iles, Chris’ grandfather, served with the Dysart et al department for more than 40 years. Mike had 29 years of service, joining the ranks as a volunteer in 1993, becoming captain in 2010, and chief in 2016. He took a leave of absence in early 2022, determined to beat cancer for a second time, but never returned.

Chris, a volunteer with the department, said one of the hardest things about losing his dad was knowing he won’t have the chance to build on the bond he had with Joe, who was one at the time of his passing.

There were many similar stories from other families in Ottawa, though, Chris said.

“There were people there of all ages. We were sat next to a couple of women, maybe in their 40s, and I thought ‘OK, they’ve lost a loved one as well’, maybe a dad, like me. Then, this little girl came over asking about where her dad’s name was going to be. That really hit home,” Chris said, noting that man left behind his wife and two children after dying in a fire.

“Another name got called and a woman walked up on stage with her two little kids, who were carrying a Team Canada hockey jersey with their dad’s name on it. It made me realize that no matter if you’re a volunteer or a career firefighter, the risk is always there, no matter who you are or what you do,” he added.

A full-time paramedic by day, or night depending on the shift, Iles said he bumped into a colleague he’s worked with for over a decade at the service. His dad was a Toronto firefighter and passed away from cancer brought on by firefighting in 2007. Chris also recognized one of the men handing out helmets on-stage – a Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighter stationed in Haliburton County.

“This is something that touches everyone, everywhere,” Chris said. He’s grateful knowing his dad’s legacy lives on in Ottawa – and that he’ll have a place to take Joe to honour his dad’s sacrifice.

“He already knows the value his pops had in his community – he’s in Kindergarten now and learning about Terry Fox. The other day, he came home with a painting, it asked who he was going to be running for and he said he’s running for pops,” Chris said.

He thanked Rob Thibert with the Minden fire department and Mike French, chief in Algonquin Highlands, for their support – including submitting the application to have Iles honoured.

Chris said he’s in the process of setting up a memorial at the Dysart station for his dad. The family received a personalized helmet and medallion from the service, and the volunteer firefighter believes they belong at the fire hall.

“At some point I’d like to get a shadow box done up, something that can display these things properly and really honour dad’s memory,” Chris said. “He was very proud to be a firefighter; he loved being chief there. A lot of his lessons are still used today. Recently, on a call, one of the firefighters was working and he turned and said, ‘Mike taught me that’. So, his presence remains and always will.”

Huskies run into hot goalie

Mike Baker

October 2, 2025

A flurry of second period penalties cost the Haliburton County Huskies dearly as the team dropped a 3-2 game to the Caledon Admirals on home ice in Minden Sept. 27.

The blue and white were called for five minor penalties in the middle frame – two for tripping, two for slashing and one for roughing, as disciplinary issues reared their head again, contributing to a fifth straight defeat.

The hometown team was outshot 12-7 in the period, struggling to put much offence together after an encouraging opening 20 minutes and gave up two goals. While they rallied in the third, stellar work from visiting goaltender Calem Yorke kept the Huskies at bay. He made 24 saves in the final period and 41 in the game.

Alternate captain Isaac Larmand, playing in his third season in Haliburton County, admitted it was a game that got away from the young team.

“We wanted to win, we wanted to come out strong, but we took too many penalties as a team. Accountability is a big thing in our room – I think if we’re more accountable about our actions and stay out of the penalty box, that is a game we win 10 out of 10 times,” Larmand said.

Some fans were still finding their seats when Caledon opened the scoring just over a minute in – Deacon King beating Stephen Toltl in the Huskies’ goal at 1:15.

It was a scrappy opening, with both teams struggling to break out from their own end, though the Huskies found some rhythm at the midway point of the first. Ryan Gosse tied things at 9:10, potting his third goal of the season, with defensemen Luis Sturgeon and Oliver Tang recorded assists on the play.

The second period was a stop-start affair, with the officials kept busy throughout. Huskies forward Kieran Raynor and Admirals forward Curtis Freeman started the parade to the box, taking offsetting minors at the threeminute mark. Raynor was boxed again at 9:24, this time for roughing – and he had Toltl to thank for keeping things even, with the netminder making three smart saves a man light.

The Huskies were back at even-strength for less than two minutes – Julius Da Silva took a slashing minor at 12:57, and while the team killed the penalty, Caledon re-took the lead seconds later, at 15:12 through King.

There was more trouble to come – Cristian Giancola took a tripping penalty at 15:47 trying to wrestle the puck from an Admirals skater and Caledon made him pay. Jack Feng had all the time in the world to pick out the top corner after skating into the right faceoff circle from the boards, making it a two-goal game.

Things almost went from bad to worse for the Huskies – Oliver Tang took a tripping penalty at 17:22, this one booed heavily by the home fans, and Cam Lang was the width of a crossbar away from making it 4-1, ringing the iron with seconds left on the powerplay.

It was one-way traffic in the final frame as the Huskies took control. Jacob Smith had a great chance in close at 5:01, but couldn’t find a way past Yorke, with Carter Petrie and Kaiden Thatcher also going close.

Del Colombo was bright throughout the third and had three great opportunities to score, ringing the crossbar at 8:49, drawing a penalty after releasing a shot at 10:56, and missing a one-on-one with Yorke at the 14-minute mark.

Head coach Jordan Bailey went for it in the closing stages – he pulled Toltl while on a late powerplay, giving the Huskies a six-on-four opportunity, which they took full advantage of. Thatcher scored his first of the season at 18:57 on the rebound after Yorke first denied Raynor and Connor Hollebek, but it wasn’t enough.

The Huskies were back in action Oct. 1 against the Wellington Dukes, with the result unavailable as of press time. They host the Trenton Golden Hawks in Minden Oct. 4, with a 4 p.m. puck drop.

What a view

Submitted

October 2, 2025

It’s fall colour viewing season at Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride. Make your way to the top of the 60 ft. lookout tower atop of the hill for uninterrupted views of Eagle and Moose lakes, as well as 3,000 hectares of Haliburton Highlands forest.

The observation tower is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 13.

Looking to partake in another fall tradition in the Highlands? Abbey Gardens is hosting its annual fall festival Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The family-friendly event features Harvest-themed games, inflatable combine combo, scavenger hunt, cookie decorating and more.

Also take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and pick one out to take home. Tickets are $17 per participating child, with accompanying grown-ups free.

Also running Oct. 4 is fall fest at Walkabout Farm in Minden. Located at 1105 Spring Valley Rd., this by-donation event includes pumpkin races, buried treasure in a sand mountain, horse and pumpkin painting, hiking, a pony obstacle course and more. It’s on from noon to 4 p.m

Habitat, P4P all in on affordable housing

Mike Baker

September 25, 2025

Key Habitat for Humanity and Places for People (P4P) figureheads say it will likely be years, rather than months, before a planned 35-unit affordable housing co-build is complete on Peninsula Road in Haliburton.

The two entities held an information session at the Haliburton Legion Sept. 18, confirming the non-profits will partner on the condo development. It will bring much-needed affordable housing to the community, with 20 units earmarked for Habitat’s home ownership model and 15 to become P4P rentals. There will also be a commercial component.

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region CEO, Susan Zambonin, said this will be her organization’s first venture into Haliburton County.

For the past couple of years, she’s been actively searching for an appropriate location to stage a build. Discussions have taken place with Algonquin Highlands township over land on Hwy. 118, but the opportunity in Haliburton village came about because of Habitat’s recently established relationship with P4P.

The land on Peninsula Road, fronting County Road 21, was long owned by County-based developer Paul Wilson. Through his company Harburn Holdings, he had hoped to bring multiple condo developments to the site, which was split into four lots. When the project was before Dysart et al council in 2022, he agreed to donate one lot to P4P to stage a future affordable housing build.

Zambonin confirmed last week that Habitat paid $1.2 million for the lot, with Wilson donating $500,000 of that to P4P. Because the developer, following an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing, agreed to ditch plans to bring more condos to the land overlooking Grass Lake, in favour of three single-family homes, he told The Highlander he could no longer afford to give his one condo-ready lot away.

So, Habitat stepped in. Zambonin said her organization will cover the full cost of construction and then sell 15 lots to P4P. Fay Martin, P4P vice president, said this will almost double the group’s existing inventory of 20 rental units.

While she was unsure how much this will cost Habitat, Zambonin said the units will all be one and two-bedroom and will “likely” be priced under $400,000. Ideally, she’d like to break ground at the site next year, though warned it could be years before the project is complete.

“I hope we would be able to start sometime in 2026 – we need certain studies, consultants to prepare reports. Stormwater management is always a big one,” Zambonin said. “It’s the kind of stuff that can’t be done at the same time, it has to be done consecutively, so it takes time.”

She confirmed the property will be on a private well, though will tap into the municipal sewage system.

How Habitat works

Zambonin confirmed the units would be made available to County residents and are designed as a “way in” to home ownership.

“These will be entry-level because we really want them to be affordable,” she said.

Affordable, however, does not mean giving away – Zambonin estimates people will need a household income of around $90,000 per year to qualify.

The process begins with an expression of interest. If it looks like the candidate can afford a unit, they are invited to fill out a thorough application. Zambonin said people have to secure a mortgage through an eligible credit union and then Habitat helps out with a second mortgage.

Through Habitat’s model, people never pay more than 30 per cent of their income towards housing costs – which includes insurance, condo fees and property taxes.

“We’ll be hosting homeowner workshops in the future to go over how everything works, but people can start thinking about this, planning for this now, that way they’re really prepared,” Zambonin said.

Anyone who becomes a Habitat homeowner is required to complete 500 volunteer hours with approved partners in the community – something Martin said will give many struggling non-profits a boost.

Habitat recently completed a 41-unit development in Peterborough, which Zambonin says was built at 66 per cent of market cost – largely due to construction firms and other companies offering help and materials at a reduced rate. She hopes to tap into County-based companies to assist with this build. Thus far, Emmerson Lumber and Haliburton Timber Mart have committed support.

“We know how to build this because we’ve done it, but we’ve done it in Peterborough using Peterborough people. We don’t want that here. We want Haliburton County people, but we don’t know all of them. So, you guys need to tell us if you’re interested and who we need to talk to,” Zambonin said.

The Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC) is lending a hand, connecting different stakeholders and will be kicking in funds down the road.

“We’ve been working with Habitat for several years trying to get them to come to Haliburton. We’re here to help in any way we can,” said HCDC executive director Patti Tallman.

Speaking at last week’s session, Tallman said the lack of available affordable housing has long hindered the County economy and led to labour shortages in the skilled trades, healthcare and municipal government.

Wilson follows through

After claiming several years ago that he wanted to see affordable housing built on the Peninsula Road property, Wilson said he was happy to work with Habitat and P4P to bring that goal to fruition.

“The whole idea, from day one, was to support affordable housing. I made the initial commitment to P4P… and Habitat is counting on P4P to pay for its share, so I’m happy to make this contribution. I think this is a project that will greatly benefit our community,” Wilson said

He further claimed that, without his donation, the project likely would not have gone ahead. Zambonin confirmed Habitat “couldn’t do it on our own” and was grateful for Wilson’s support.

The money will be used to help P4P purchase the 15 units once the project is wrapped, with Martin saying the nonprofit will fundraise for the remaining sum – likely millions of dollars. She said this could be the perfect opportunity to bring back the community bond model the organization utilized in 2023, raising $850,000 to pay off several loans.

“There’s not a month goes by without someone asking us about community bonds, so I’d say we’ve got to do them again,” Martin said.

New chief of staff at HHHS

Mike Baker

September 25, 2025

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) has appointed a new chief of staff, with Dr. Paul Faulkner assuming the role effective Oct. 1

Faulkner replaces Dr. Keith Hay, who served as the hospital’s top doctor for two stints – stepping in on an interim basis in 2019 through mid-2020 before his permanent appointment in September 2023.

HHHS board chair Irene Odell said Hay brought “exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare” during his time as chief of staff. She noted he played a key role in establishing a robust credentialing system for physicians, spearheaded recruitment efforts and was a “passionate advocate” for environmental sustainability.

Hay will continue to serve as a leader in local primary care, representing Haliburton interests at the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton OHT primary care leadership council.

“It has been an honour to serve as chief of staff,” Hay said. “I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, from enhancing physician standards to fostering community partnerships. I look forward to helping strengthen primary care at HHHS and in the County.”

Faulkner has been appointed on a three-year contract, Odell confirmed. He’s been with HHHS since 2016 – working part-time during the summer and fall for several years, before permanently relocating to the area in the spring. He previously served as chief of staff at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington.

Odell said Faulkner’s experience and leadership qualities will help drive HHHS’ strategic initiatives, particularly around master planning.

The chief of staff’s other responsibilities include: acting as liaison between administration and the medical team; overseeing the quality of patient care; ensuring regulatory compliance; and facilitating physician engagement.

Faulkner said he’s “thrilled” to have the opportunity to lead HHHS forward through 2028.

“The master planning efforts underway present an exciting opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in our community. I look forward to working with our talented team to deliver exceptional care and strengthen our ties to the region,” Faulkner said.

Police seize $700,000 worth of illegal cannabis

Mike Baker

September 25, 2025

The Haliburton Highlands OPP has charged two people with drug offences after officers attended an illegal cannabis grow operation on Soyers Lake Road last week.

On Sept. 26, officers from the local detachment joined the OPP’s community street crime unit, tactics and rescue unit, canine unit, emergency response team and provincial joint forces cannabis enforcement team in executing a search warrant at a property in Minden Hills. They seized 2,413 cannabis plants, 20 shotgun shells and one air rifle.

Police say the street value of the cannabis is approximately $700,000.

Following an investigation, police charged 54-year-old Guo-Zhang Chen and 36-year-old Yaping Wu, both of Scarborough, with cultivating, propagating or harvesting a cannabis plant that is from seed, or plant material that is illicit cannabis.

The accused have been released and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date.

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