Ups and downs at start of school year

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September 30, 2020

JQ - School return - 4-web — Matt Burk brings daughters Avery and Lucy to school at Stuart Baker Sept. 14. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

By Kirk Winter

Trillium Lakelands District School Board staff shared the success and frustration of reopening schools at the Sept. 22 board meeting.

Superintendent of business, Tim Ellis spoke about the challenges board transportation staff have had making bus schedules work.

“We have had to put in an exceptional amount of work to streamline transportation this year,” Ellis said, “and in less than two weeks we were able to make most of the 7000 changes necessary in our routes.

“We are short of drivers and we have already had to cancel a few routes because of sick drivers,” Ellis added. “By Thanksgiving, I expect the driver shortages (due to illness) to be much worse. I wouldn’t blame drivers one bit for quitting considering the older demographic [they] most come from.”

He expects rolling cancellations of buses by October as drivers get ill. Ellis added their transportation partners are only covering routes now by doubling up on runs and using qualified office staff.

Director of Education, Wes Hahn tried to balance his return to school update by praising staff and students and admitting how difficult parts of this September’s opening have been.

“We have made incredible connections with our people as we have tried our best to have staff prepared,” Hahn said. “We have seen different people take the lead at their individual workplaces. Leadership is coming from teachers, custodians and office staff right across the board.

“We need to maintain positivity and we heard really great things regarding our staggered start from staff, parents, and students,” he said.

Hahn shared a story from a secondary school principal “who had never seen kids so settled and so connected with a teacher as they are in the octabloc system that is currently in place.”

“For some kids this is a really good environment,” Hahn said, “with them focusing on the one credit only.”

The director also discussed the Learning at Home program, calling it “a challenge.”

“We have five administrators working day and night to make this a reality. It is a work in progress and we appreciate the patience parents and students are showing. We will make this a success,” Hahn vowed.

Routines around mask wearing have been very good so far, Hahn added, both on buses and at school.

Hahn praised students for their appropriate behaviour on breaks and lunches, stressing how important mental health timeouts are for them. He also thanked parents.

“We will continue to work on behaviour in the community with our students and we will treat it as an educational opportunity moving forward,” Hahn said.

Terry Fox runs through pandemic

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Lisa Gervais

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September 28, 2020

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JQ - Terry Fox Run 2020 - 3-web — A group of 10 set out from the Minden Community Centre Sept. 20 for the annual Terry Fox Run. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Without cheers, crowds or fanfare, runners set out from the Minden Community Centre Sept. 20, carrying the spirit of Terry Fox despite the pandemic limiting the event.

Social distancing rules cancelled the traditional masses of people joining to raise money for cancer research, in honour of the famed runner who lost his life to the disease. Instead, the Terry Fox Foundation asked people to join in its first-ever virtual event, having them run or walk in smaller numbers wherever they could.

Minden Terry Fox Run organizer Barb Millington joined with 10 locals to traverse the traditional route and carry on the 25-year event. Last year, it raised $20,500, but Millington said that figure decreased to more than $5,000 with fewer participants.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t get the numbers of people, which translated into dollars,” Millington said. “But we’re doing what we can. That’s the best we can do.”

Runners across Haliburton County participated in the virtual run, joining with thousands across the country.

Despite the circumstances, participants in Minden said it was important to carry on the tradition. Breast cancer survivor Kim Goyne said though the run is not as uplifting without the crowds, the cause needs support even during COVID-19.

“I’m sure I, as well as millions of other people, have benefitted from that research,” Goyne said. “In these times where people’s incomes are very challenged, it’s important we still remember charities need support as well.”

Participant and long-time Minden Terry Fox Run volunteer Joan Taylor said it is an event that is not going to die.

“Everybody’s family has been impacted by cancer,” Taylor said. “It’s just such a moving moment. We’ve lost young people in our family to cancer. I hope they’re there with us today.”

Millington said it is uncertain whether a full-scale event can carry on next year. If it does go ahead, Millington said she could not organize it and they will need to find someone new. But this year, the Terry Fox Run persevered despite the difficult circumstances, much like the person who inspired it.

“It’s important to keep it out there in the spotlight,” Goyne said. “It’s something that helps a lot of people in these times when there’s a lot of challenges. It’s nice to be able to do something positive.”

Heaven’s mystery disappearance could go unsolved

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Lisa Gervais

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September 28, 2020

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JQ - Documentary end - 1-web — Documentary filmmakers Mike Mildon and Jackson Rowe stand in front of their crew packing up equipment in Minden Aug. 14. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Documentary filmmakers Mike Mildon and Jackson Rowe hit a wall in their attempt to solve an 86-year-old mystery.

The pair have spent months working on their film “For Heaven’s Sake,” about their attempt to uncover what happened to Mildon’s great, great-uncle Harold Heaven, who disappeared in Minden 86 years ago. Police reports at the time suggested suicide, but the filmmakers have explored alternative theories. But they said they have struggled to uncover concrete evidence.

After being unable to find Heaven’s body with a lake search and land dig Aug. 12, the two said they are unsure of how to progress.

“It’s hard to know what the direction is,” Rowe said. “We’re re-assessing everything, talking to people, figuring out where the best plan of attack is now.”

The pair have a suspect in mind who they believe may have killed Heaven based on the testimony they have received, but said they have no conclusive proof. They had hoped to find Heaven’s body in a dig on family property based on a ground-penetrating radar scan, but what looked like a skeleton in those results turned out to be an assortment of rocks.

“On that day, we were ready to find him,” Rowe said. “In my gut, it was always closer to 50-50.”

Without a body, trying to prove Heaven was murdered was more difficult. Although they said multiple sources have relayed rumours their suspect may have killed Heaven, nothing is certain.

They said they were fixated on their suspect, but after speaking with the suspect’s family, came to realize their investigation could hurt people. Mildon said they apologized to the family after their production finished and were no longer pursuing any suspects.

“When it comes to family of people named in the police reports, it wasn’t fun for them,” Mildon said. “Many of the family members shared our excitement for solving the mystery, helping out anyway they could, but I’m sure they never thought we we’re going to actually explore their relatives as suspects the same way the police did. We want them to know and feel assured that the intention and end result of this documentary is not that their family did it. And honestly, we don’t have enough evidence to ever truly say who did.”

They left Minden with their crew Aug. 14, without any further concrete lead. Mildon told The Highlander Sept. 23 that they had finished their investigation and were ending their production. They expect the film to release in early 2021.

“That’s something we’re starting to grapple with for sure, is the reality of time and money and people’s willingness to put up with us,” Rowe said, adding they do not want to “become the boy who cries wolf.” “We want people to watch it. Every time we say something is going to happen, (and) it doesn’t happen, no one wants to watch that.”

The duo, whose filmography was primarily comedic sketches before now, said they have learned how difficult it is putting true crime stories together. Mildon compared them to how campfire stories work.

“Trying so hard to make a campfire story a true crime documentary,” Mildon said. “Saying we’re searching for the truth – we were searching for the best story and it just goes back to campfire stories in general. You’re messing up the details a little bit, just because it fits the narrative better.”

Despite the difficulties, the pair said Minden was a wonderful place to film and the community was great to work with.

“It just felt like everybody was playing along as detectives,” Mildon said. “Everyone really wanted us to come to a conclusion and that answer.”

The two said in August they were still determined to find an answer to Heaven’s disappearance – and were not ready to say how the film would end.

“How do you end a mystery without an answer?” Mildon said.

Man makes formal complaint against OPP officer

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Lisa Gervais

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September 25, 2020

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JQ - Cop video - 1-web — Mike Snelgrove claims he was assaulted by a local police officer, supposedly for getting too close, after he started recording him. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Mike Snelgrove said he was minding his own business Sept. 11, parked on his ATV at the Stanhope Airport, when a police officer from the Haliburton Highlands OPP approached him.

He said the officer requested his licence, ownership and registration.

Snelgrove said a traumatic interaction with police in 2013 – which later led to conviction for growing cannabis illegally – has made him distrustful of police due to how he feels he was treated.

He claimed that after the officer said he would write Snelgrove a ticket because his license plate was not visible, he started recording with his phone, showing his licence place was dirty but readable.

In the video, which Snelgrove provided to The Highlander, he turns away from his licence plate towards the officer standing behind him. The video shows the officer hitting the phone out of Snelgrove’s hands. Snelgrove picks up the phone, approaches the officer, and shouts expletives. The officer then slaps the phone away again.

Snelgrove alleges the officer struck him in the forearm and he considers it an assault. He has not yet pressed charges.

“Still kind of upset,” Snelgrove said. “I don’t know what his problem was with me … Why was he still so aggressive with me for no reason?”

In the video, the officer says, “you don’t put a phone in my face” after first slapping the phone out of Snelgrove’s hands. He then repeats the instruction before slapping the phone away again. After Snelgrove takes a couple of steps back, the officer says, “if you want to videotape me, that’s fine, but do not stick it in my face.”

In response, Snelgrove says the officer approached him first from behind.

“He walks up right behind me and towers over me. All I did (before the officer slapped at the phone) was just turn,” Snelgrove alleges. “If he was concerned about being so close, why did he walk up right behind?”

Snelgrove said they were at least three feet apart the second time the officer struck, adding he feels that is not too close.

Snelgrove said he submitted a complaint to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), an independent civilian agency that addresses public complaints against police.

Haliburton Highlands OPP Const. Amanda Gilbert confirmed a complaint was made to the OIPRD and said they could not comment further.

The OIPRD said due to the confidentiality provision in the Police Services Act, they cannot comment on individual complaints.

“The director believes that commenting on allegations of police misconduct in the media would compromise his ability to then investigate these allegations in a fair manner,” the OIPRD said in a statement to The Highlander.

The video goes on to show Snelgrove repeatedly swearing at the officer. There is conversation but no further physical altercation.

In the video, the officer says he is investigating a matter and the possibility Snelgrove confronted and threatened some other ATV riders on a weekend. Snelgrove denies it, and says he will sometimes greet riders who come on the trail near his property, but only in a friendly way.

The video shows a second officer arriving and speaking away from Snelgrove. The first officer eventually tells Snelgrove he is free to go, without any tickets or charges mentioned.

Snelgrove said although he did not know the officer he filmed, he thinks his history with police may have impacted how the officer treated him. But he added he finds that “atrocious” and said police should not hold grudges or treat anyone differently based on their past.

Snelgrove alleges his phone was damaged and needs replacing. He said he would drop the case if police pay for damages and the officer apologizes. He also wants an agreement that OPP do not use the officer in any dealings with him in future, other than a life-threatening scenario.

“It’s not good to have a beef with the police in general.”

Voters will get final say on arena

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Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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Minden Hills councillors expressed frustration about the length of time it has taken to make decisions on so-called value-added items at the refurbished arena and community centre.

The value-added items are the things not covered in the construction contract with MBC, the Ottawa-based builders who are nearing completion of the $12.7-million and counting project. We say ‘and counting’ since councillors approved another $75,000 at a Sept. 17 meeting, for lobby furniture, fitness room access control, a refurbished canteen and signage.

There are still a number of costly items that need to be incorporated – such as a canopy at the rear entrance, sprinklers for the second-floor community space and Scout room, paving of the balance of the parking lot, office furniture and equipment, and an LED message centre – totalling about $200,000.

When the arena was given the green light back on Feb. 14, 2019, Mayor Brent Devolin boldly suggested the community could raise $1 million towards these types of things. To date, to our knowledge, nothing has been raised. While council recently struck a fundraising committee, Coun. Jennifer Hughey, the township liaison, noted they had not yet met since the township has not finalized committee meeting protocol under COVID-19. She did hint at a possible donation towards paving at the meeting but did not disclose more.

While no one could have anticipated a pandemic during this project, it has to be stated that fundraising had stalled for months before COVID-19 even became a factor locally. The township could not get members of the public engaged and it was falling to senior staff.

Some of the other talk at that Feb. 14, 2019 council meeting had to do with it being an Integrated Project Delivery, a delivery method that seeks efficiencies and involvement of all participants through all phases of design, fabrication and construction.

Unfortunately, there have not been efficiencies. MBC had to come back to council for another $250,000 in December, 2019, and has said there will be no savings on the project. And there’s that raft of value-added items that remain outstanding.

Talk at the Sept. 17 meeting turned to how to fund the add-ons. Should council use its recently-announced budget surplus, reserves or borrow the money?

Devolin said there were pools of money in both the surplus and reserves and he could go either way. Coun. Jean Neville mentioned debenturing. Some items may be eligible. Some might not. Coun. Bob Carter, though, rightfully, said they can’t touch the surplus for the arena.

He said arena costs must remain arena costs so taxpayers will know exactly how much the project has cost them. And make no mistake, it is taxpayers footing the bill. They will be paying off this loan for many years to come.

Without a doubt, it has been a controversial project. Right from the start, many people wanted a swimming pool. They did not get one. It has been costly. Key staff have left during the building phase. There’s been a pandemic that has slowed things down. The community has been divided.

Regardless, the arena is ready for ice as of Sept. 25 and hockey is expected to commence Oct. 5. We are not sure about figure skating. We also don’t know what it means for the gym and walking track or the community centre. The township has been slow to reopen its facilities even with Phase 3 reopenings. The next challenge will be whether to open, and how to open.

Within the next month, the project will be complete and taxpayers will hopefully get a chance to see the final product – even if only virtually – so they can decide whether the 2014-2018 council’s gamble was worth it in time for the 2022 election. On Feb. 14, 2019, it was Devolin, now deputy-mayor Lisa Schell, and councillors Ron Nesbitt and Jean Neville who voted in favour of the project. Carter, Hughey and Coun. Pam Sayne voted against. In the end, Devolin cast the deciding ballot.

Pulling together the score COVID-style

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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The soundtrack of Kim Campbell’s upcoming short film, Boundless is going to have a Haliburton County flavour after nine Haliburton County Folk Society (HCFS) musicians worked with Nick Russell to piece together a unique pandemic project.

Russell said he was contacted by the Haliburton filmmaker about the use of his equipment at the Haliburton Guitar Studio to record orchestral instrument tracks for the film score.

He’d known Campbell for years, but had only become reacquainted when she’d asked him to play guitar on a few dates with herself, vibraphonist Nick Mancini and bassist Robert Lee at the Drake in Toronto. That was followed by a concert at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion. The shows were part of a promotion and fundraising campaign to solicit donations for production of the film.

Russell said the score was composed for a small orchestra in Los Angeles by Kanoa Wolfe-Doblin.

“The full score and its respective parts were emailed to me along with an audio recording for reference,” the local guitarist said.

“Having the equipment and top-quality microphones for acoustic instruments in Haliburton to manage the task, and with the HCFSs kind support, I was hired, as were nine different local musicians, to record the entire orchestra part-by-part and one musician at a time.”

Russell said it is a very unusual way to record an orchestra. Usually the instrumentalists would be playing together in a room. However, as they needed to adhere to COVID-19 protocol and public health recommendations, it seemed to be the only way they would get it done by the target date.

They invited Glen Carter, Bethany Houghton, Ken Loney, Tom Regina, Melissa Stephens, Andy Salvatori, Doris Feitler, Judith Iannucci and Stan Russell to record the score over three weeks.

“Each musician was set up with their part and they played overtop of a VSTI-generated score (virtual studio technology instruments) so they’d have a reference as to the dynamics, tempo and overall feel of the particular piece,” Russell explained.

After he recorded all of the parts, he did some rough editing and sent each individual track, called a ‘stem’ in the studio world, back to L.A. to be mixed into the final score.

“It was a great and fun experience. I was able to connect with so many local musicians who were able to collaborate and make music together – but apart – during the pandemic era. It was also refreshing to be pushing the buttons on the project and not doing the playing,” he said.

He has not yet heard the final mix but suspects it is nearing completion.

“I am looking forward to seeing the entire project, with the finished film in the coming weeks.”

Left to Tell – Part 11: Lost equipment

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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By Mabel Brannigan

The train left Haliburton at 5 a.m. and if you were going to Toronto, you had to be on it.

On this particular morning, I was returning to Western Canada after a furlough.

When I got on, I saw Maurice, an old school chum. He told me it was his last leave and the boys had given him a party and put him on the train. Knowing the kind of party it had been, I asked “where is your gun and duffle bag?”

“I don’t know, I’ve lost everything,”

“Well, you stay in your seat, and I’ll look from them,” I said. I came back with the gun and duffle bag. I said, “don’t lose this again. You know what will happen to you if you show up with no equipment.”

He was to stay overnight in Toronto at his sister Lilly’s before catching a train for Halifax. I think he must have had a bottle on the way to Toronto. When we arrived, I could see he was in no condition to be left alone. I looked for a pay phone to call Lilly to come for him. Then I took his gun and put it in a locker and put the key in his pocket, along with a note. I had to catch my train or I would be in big trouble if I missed it. No excuses.

Apparently, next morning Lilly asked Maurice, “don’t you have luggage?”

“I have lost it.”

She scolded him and said, “well, give me your pants and I’ll press them.”

That’s when she found my note. Well, she got him in to get his equipment and on the train to Halifax. He said, “oh yeah, I remember Mabel taking my gun and duffel bag.”

I never saw Maurice until after the war. The Township of Stanhope held a Veterans Day at Matabanick Inn. Maurice and I were there. It was good to see the others. But it was hard to celebrate victory when we were saddened by our comrades who had died, five of our chums from Maple Lake.

Every Remembrance Day at the Legion, Maurice told this story. When he couldn’t go anymore, I phoned him on Remembrance Day, and he laughed and reminded me of losing his gun, and what would have happened to him if I hadn’t been there. When he died, the Minden Legion was open, and I attended his funeral.

Do you have any war stories of your relatives from Haliburton County? If so, please share them with us at mabelhewitt@ icloud.com.

Arena costs creeping towards $13 million

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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The new arena and community centre in Minden will have a refurbished canteen as councillors continue to slowly make decisions about so-called value-added-items at the $12.7-million facility that is now nearing completion.

During a special council meeting Sept. 17, they gave the green light to four new additions: signage, lobby furniture, fitness room access control and refurbishment of the canteen.

CAO Trisha McKibbin had 19 items in a detailed report. A number of them were removed, such as cleaning supplies and equipment, as they would classify as normal township operating costs. Others were shifted to the fundraising committee, in hopes they can get some community donations.

As for an eating option in the new facility, Coun. Pam Sayne said she was in “total support” of having a canteen, whether the township eventually runs it or a third-party contractor does.

Coun. Jean Neville was in agreement, saying decision-making around the arena’s add-ons had dragged on too long. She said they needed a canteen regardless of who runs it. “Without a canteen, it doesn’t work for me.”

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell also spoke in favour and the council direction was noted.

McKibbin said she had sought out quotes and estimated the work at $40,000.

As for lobby furniture, Neville added, “we’ve got to get the place furnished.” McKibbin has estimated a price tag of $14,000.

Coun. Bob Carter noted they would need fitness room access control as soon as equipment was installed, especially during a pandemic. He said once they get the equipment in, it needs to be protected and they don’t want unauthorized people in the room. That will cost the township about a further $7,000.

Signage was also approved at an upset limit of about $14,000.

Early on in discussions, some councillors, such as Carter and Jennifer Hughey, said they would want more details before voting on whether to say yes or no to some items.

“We have to understand what we’re agreeing to with all these things because money is money,” Carter said.

Hughey added, “I’m not comfortable voting on anything with numbers that are questionable or potentially incorrect.”

She suggested they make decisions on what they could to be productive on the day.

McKibbin said council also had to provide direction on where the money would come from.

Mayor Brent Devolin suggested from surplus or reserves.

Sayne said, “we look at some of the great ways that we’ve seen other places raise money and get community involvement, such as the youth hub … I think if we can rely on some of that local support these numbers would stay down much lower so we try to do these locally as well.”

Coun. Hughey, who is the council liaison on the fundraising committee, expressed some frustration saying the committee had not been able to meet yet due to COVID-19 restrictions and the township’s inability to provide a venue for electronic committee meetings.

Carter was adamant the money should come from reserves, not the surplus. “Everything else that’s part of this building should be assimilated as part of the building and we don’t go into the surplus. The surplus we have, and we have to decide what to do with it, I just don’t want to think it’s a pot, a piggybank we can go and spend that money. If this is legitimately part of the project it should be accounted for as part of the project so we know what the total cost of this is.”

Coun. Neville questioned debenturing, due to low borrowing interest rates. “This amount of money is not going to be significant in the very big picture,” she said.

However, Devolin said they would have to research what items on the list can be debentured.

The original budget for the project was $12,494,570. An additional $250,000 was approved by council in December 2019, increasing the budget to $12,744,570. McKibbin said contractors’ MBC have advised that, based on completed tenders and items that remain outstanding, a project surplus is unlikely. The list of value-added items, if all funded by the township, [of which some will come from Ontario Trillium Founation grants of $150,000] would have added another $518,793. However, council has so far approved just $75,000 of that. A follow-up report will come back to council.

Minden to get $6.8 million affordable housing development

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Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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Minden is getting 30 new affordable housing rental units thanks to a public-private partnership between a long-time cottager and the Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation.

Corporation CEO, Hope Lee made a presentation to Minden Hills council’s Sept. 24 meeting. The private landowner is Bill Switzer, who did not appear during the Zoom meeting. Tim Welch, of Welch and Associates, joined Lee. They are the development consultant assisting with the project.

Lee said KLH’s newest development plan in Minden “is a particularly exciting project for KLH Housing as it will become our first public-private partnership.”

She added that KLH and Switzer, of F.W. Gwillim, hope it becomes a model for other housing in Haliburton County.

The units will be in 15, two-bedroom, duplexes. They are going on a vacant parcel of land on the west side of Highway 35 at County Road 21, between Rotary Park and the Minden Legion overlooking the Gull River. Lee said the accessible units will be approximately 800-square-feet. Each will have parking out front.

“So, this project will nestle nicely into the area with the Gull River as a boundary. The area provides a number of amenities, including Rotary Park and the grocery store.”

“The townhouses will provide 30 units towards the affordable housing targets,” she said. The Coaliton has set a goal of creating 750 new units in a 10-year-period.

Ten of the units will be at 80 per cent of affordable rent, and 20 at 100 per cent. According to this year’s affordable rents, 80 per cent is $980, and 100 per cent $1200-a-month with all utilities included.

Hope added they would be approaching the County of Haliburton “looking for rent supplements to make some of the units even more affordable for those with the lowest income.”

All in, she said the capital cost of the development is $6.8M

“It’s important to highlight the significant contribution of Mr. Switzer towards this project,” she said. “Without his support, including the land, this project would not be possible or considered. A long-time seasonal resident of the County, Mr. Switzer has owned this parcel of land for many years. This project is not only his dream for the land but his way to give back to this community.”

She said Switzer would be involved in the development of the project, but it would then be transferred to the corporation, which will become the owner and operator.

She said they had secured funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and would be applying for co-investment funding from the CMHC.

She asked for the township’s planning help, including official plan amendment, rezoning, donation of a road allowance, site plan approvals, relief from fees and charges and waiving of securities. Council unanimously consented.

“While we realize this property wasn’t necessarily considered in the past for residential development, we hope that you will agree with us that it is possible and will meet a significant need,” Lee said.

She said official plan and rezoning paperwork is with the township and they’ve completed topographical and geotechnical studies to confirm suitability of where they are placing the units on the site. They are just waiting on a traffic study.

If all goes according to plan, construction would begin in April 2021 and people move in, in the spring of 2022.

Coun. Bob Carter, who’s on the housing task force, said they’d been involved since 2018 and, “we’re really excited to see it come to fruition.” He said he’d spoken to some of the neighbours, and other groups within the municipality, and, “for the most part, right across the whole township, people are excited about this project.”

Coun. Pam Sayne, who is also on the housing task force, said she likes the fact it’s mixed income development.

Mayor Brent Devolin said the public-private partnership model “is potentially an answer to some of the challenges” that the County has had with affordable housing residential development in the past.

Coun. Ron Nesbitt added, “Minden deserves this and needs this.”

Haliburton Legion decorates veterans’ graves

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2020

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JQ - Decoration Day - 1-web — Retired OPP Const. Val Jarvis carried a flag as part of a colour party for the Haliburton Legion’s Decoration Day ceremony Sept. 21. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 129 Haliburton honoured the sacrifices of local veterans despite the pandemic with its second annual Veterans Decoration Day service Sept. 21.

Members of the legion, the Haliburton Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Haliburton and District Lions Club attended the St. Anthony Cemetery and Evergreen Cemetery to place crosses at the graves of veterans. The pandemic meant that members of the public, including veterans’ families and high school students who placed the crosses previously, could not attend.

Public relations officer Linda Heeps said she would have liked to have the public involved.

“We couldn’t have the public, which is saddening because many family members put their own (crosses),” Heeps said. “We have to live within the rules.”

Attendees laid approximately 180 crosses, which will remain in place until Sept. 27. A small service was held, featuring a colour party and prayers by Reverend Garry Swagerman.

Heeps said it was important to recognize veterans’ sacrifices despite the pandemic.

“I can’t even imaging going to war. I couldn’t even imagine how awful it is,” she said. “If we can honour them once a year, it’s not too much to ask.”

Remembrance Day events cancelled

The pandemic is also hitting legions’ Remembrance Day ceremonies, with Haliburton legion president Paul Sisson announcing there will be no local event by order of Ontario Command. Instead, the legion will have a service with a small number of members laying wreaths at the cenotaph on behalf of people who request them.

“I don’t think that the veterans are getting the recognition that they deserve by not having people attending the ceremony,” Sisson said. “COVID-19, it certainly has made a lot of changes in lifestyle.”

The order applies to all legions across the province, though small services will happen. The Royal Canadian Legion is also doing a Facebook Live stream of the national Remembrance Day ceremony.

“There’s no way we can fit it in with COVID. We might have tried to put together a plan being a small community, but it came down from Dominion Command,” Heeps said. “It’s sad because it’s a real highlight of our community.”