Business owner staying sunny in cancer battle

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September 1, 2020

JQ - Sally Moore - 2-web — Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast owner Sally Moore is holding a “humour, cutting-edge, spirit-lifting extravaganza” fundraiser after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast owner Sally Moore said being secretive about her Her2+ Invasive Breast Cancer diagnosis played against her psyche.

Faced with chemotherapy, Moore said rumours and misinformation spread about her condition. So, she decided to be open, sending a mass email about her condition and the “humorous, cutting-edge, spirit-lifting extravaganza” fundraiser she wanted to host Sept. 3 to support the Minden Rotary Club.

“I’m enjoying having my fingers into the throws of a fundraiser and I think it should be a really fun event,” Moore said. “I decided I needed to turn this around. I figured just be upfront with the community, let the community know, become a voice maybe for people with breast cancer.”

Moore is planning a positivity-focused event to accomplish that. She is asking people to wear funny hats to give her inspiration for what to wear as she loses her hair. She has also developed a social-distancing friendly hug, encouraging people to instead cut a lock of their hair and let it blow away.

Moore said she has spent four decades as a community fundraiser, including organizing a Loonie Extravaganza at her business for the past 25 years, towards a variety of charities.

“It’s the fun of it. There really is an energy that comes from within for me towards the preparation of a fundraiser,” Moore said. “I want people to just be able to say hi and know I’m good.”

She said she will also match any donations. A Rotarian, she said she is a big believer in what Minden Rotary does and wanted to help them given the difficulties of fundraising in a pandemic.

“We want to do the best we possibly can for the community, and we can’t do it unless we have some resources to do with it,” Moore said.

Minden Rotary president Dave Bonham said the club is supportive of the event.

“We applaud her for both her initiative and her creativity in the planning for a truly unique undertaking,” Bonham said.

Before running her bed and breakfast, Moore worked as a camp director, a job she said has helped her with her fundraising.

“Instead of playing with children, young adults, I’m playing with adults,” Moore said. “I like having people around, the energy of it all.”

Moore said she survived breast cancer seven years ago, but this time the treatment will not be as easy. But she wants people to come away feeling positively after her fundraiser.

“We can beat this,” Moore said. “I want to create an environment that’s open and people can ask how things are going and to give the positive stuff. I’m just silly, I’m a silly Sally and I think people know to expect that from me.”

The event takes place at Sunny Rock at 1144 Scotts Dam Rd, Minden Sept. 3 from 1 – 5 p.m., with donations accepted after that up until noon Sept. 7.

Part 7: History for some, vivid reality for others

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 31, 2020

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MB-Left to Tell 7 — The number 11 service flying training school in Yorkton, Sask. where 3,000 pilots from Commonwealth countries around the world trained each month during the Second World War. Mabel Brannigan was stationed there. Photo submitted

By Mabel Brannigan

Along with the military, the RCAF grew at a phenomenal rate until 249,662 men and women were in RCAF uniform. This was due to the famous Commonwealth-led training plan in Canada which prompted President Roosevelt to say “Canada is the aerodrome of democracy.”

Canada graduated 3,000 air crew each month from Commonwealth countries around the world which sprang up across Canadian stations. The prairies were ideal. By the end of the war, Canada had trained 50,000 Commonwealth pilots.

I spent time on the Yorkton, Saskatchewan pilot training base. At RCAF station Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canso aircraft were used for training pilots. Other Commonwealth bases trained 18,500 wireless operators and gunners and 15,900 air navigators. Canadian airmen served as convey escorts and were credited with 90 Nazi kills in the Battle of Britain as well as bombing raids in Europe. Five Spitfires were the first planes from RCAF 40 Squadron to destroy an enemy jet fighter. Also, Squadron 417, an RCAF dog fight squadron, flew with the famous Desert Air Force over Egypt and northern Italy while others served in virtually every theatre of the Second World War.

The RCN and Merchant Seamen have an equally distinguished record and participated in many important sea battles. Canadian destroyers assisted in the evacuation of Dunkirk as well as sinking of the Bismarck in May, 1941. They ferried British, American, and Canadian troops ashore in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy invasions.

But Canada’s Navy and Merchant Marine earned their greatest reputation in the Atlantic where dreaded Nazi submarines waited to strike with torpedos and where 1,190 Canadian sailors were sent to their watery graves in the Battle of the Atlantic. The RCN and the RCAF are credited with sinking 47 Nazi subs during the Second World War.

Although 1941 was a year of savage fighting with many losses, at home in Haliburton, the feeling of hopelessness and despair seemed to have lessened what 1940 brought. In Haliburton County, most young people were either in the service, or in war-related factories. The Lindsay Arsenal announced they would be taking eight girls into their man-run arsenal, and you can bet I was at the head of the line. I worked three shift work until I was old enough for military service. The men in the foundry would gape through the door in disbelief to see eight girls wearing coveralls and a bandana-covered head. It was a sight to behold. But the girls had money.

In the homes in Haliburton, families were close-knit and lived simply. After such a long Depression, it was good to bring some money in, even if the men got considerably more for doing the same job. Rationing of gas, tea, coffee, sugar, meat, butter, booze, etc. did not impose a great hardship in Haliburton. Margarine was not invented yet.

People complained about the songs we sang. Some of the titles were ‘We Heil, Heil, Heil Right in Der Fueher’s Face’ ‘Three Little Fishies’ ‘Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats. Also, people complained that young people didn’t obey their parents and we didn’t. When non-essential goods were cut off to Canada, Canadian cartoonists soon fixed the comic book industry with Johnny Canuck and Spy Smasher.

The word celebration is using sparingly. It is hard to celebrate valour and victory and simultaneously mourn the sacrifice of those of our comrades who have died. We rejoice, but we grieve. That’s what we will do on the 75th anniversary.

For some, the world war years of 1939- 1945 are simply a piece of history, for others, the memories that those years bring are all too vivid.

Libraries reopen next month

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 31, 2020

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JQ - Libraries reopening - 1 (2) — The Haliburton County Public Library is preparing to open its branches in Haliburton, Minden and Wilberforce next month. File photo

The Haliburton County Public Library is preparing to reopen in Haliburton, Minden and Wilberforce next month with social distancing measures in place.

The County library board discussed the reopening plan at a special meeting Aug. 19. The libraries have been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but staff are working to allow people to return to browse materials and use computers. However, staff are planning to tentatively limit visits to 20 minutes.

Librarian Erin Kernohan-Berning said they will adjust the plan as they go, including extending visits if it proves safe.

“The plan as it stands is going to be in constant evaluation once we start,” she said. “We need to sort of test-drive it.”

The library has offered curbside pickup in recent months, starting June 25 in Dysart. That service will continue by request, though people will now also be able to enter the library to pick up holds. Service hours are limited to 25 hours per week in Dysart and Minden and 15 in Wilberforce.

Board members pressed about increasing the amount of time someone could be in a branch, noting how some people rely on the library for internet and computer access.

“If people are going to be driving or somehow getting into town because they have to use a computer, I really have a concern 20 minutes isn’t enough,” board member Carol Moffatt said.

Kernohan-Berning said she would try to extend that but noted the length of time indoors makes a difference to the transmission of COVID-19. She said staff would rather slowly expand that time by testing the plan, rather than clawing back if longer times do not work.

“This is part of our services that unfortunately is going to be lacking,” she said. “Because we want to keep patrons and staff safe, there are some sacrifices we need to make. I’m going to be extremely happy when we can reinstate a lot of that stuff.”

The plan features additional safety precautions for the library, with regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, available hand-sanitizer, requested mask use and spaced out furniture and computers for physical distancing. The number of people in the building at once will also be limited.

Printing and photocopying will also be by-donation instead of a usual 10-cents-perpage charge.

“Partly because we don’t want to handle money,” Kernohan-Berning said. “Also, because we’re just in the times we’re in and people need a bit of a break.”

The date for reopening is not certain, but Kernohan-Berning said they are tentatively targeting Sept. 8.

Wishing upon a Starlink

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Lisa Gervais

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August 30, 2020

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JQ - Starlink - 2-web — A rocket launches into the sky as part of the Starlink project. Photo by Marek Cyzio.

As Starlink launched 58 satellites into the sky Aug. 18, many watched, hoping the project could soon bring better internet service to remote communities.

Haliburtonians too are following Starlink, a project under SpaceX launching hundreds of satellites to bring high-speed internet to locations difficult to reach by conventional means. The U.S.-based company said it is targeting service in the northern U.S. and Canada by the end of this year, with public beta-testing to launch this fall.

Eagle Lake resident Ioana Zemi said local internet services cannot provide her with standard service. She said she sees Starlink as a solution for people such as her in remote residences.

“It’s really beneficial in situations like mine, where we live, where people are spaced so far apart,” Zemi said. “The infrastructure requirements are far less than if they were to put in fibre.”

Starlink is applying for a basic international telecommunications service licence with the CRTC, which is still ongoing. The application received more than 2,000 responses.

“Many of the comments noted the urgency of additional broadband options for consumers and locations that either have limited broadband choice now or no connectivity whatsoever,” wrote SpaceX satellite government affairs vice-president Patricia Cooper in a reply to the CRTC July 17. “This outpouring of support is particularly gratifying.”

The County of Haliburton and Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) are also eyeing large-scale internet improvements through public-private partnerships. The County is applying for a grant with Bell and Xplornet to deliver more broadband to areas of need, while EORN is proposing a $1.6 billion project to bring gigabyte-speed service.

But Haliburton Lake resident Joe Mukherjee said he is more optimistic about Starlink and its timeframe to be running by the end of the year. A former telecommunications worker, he said he needs internet for work and has struggled with slow internet speeds under Bell. He said that is caused by their refusal to spend the $500,000 necessary to upgrade the area pedestal congested with too many customers.

“My confidence is, shall we say shaky, that Bell is going to take this and treat it with the urgency I feel it deserves,” Mukherjee said. “Conversely, Starlink has already launched a substantial amount of satellites … I will happily move my services to them.”

Bell said it is expanding its fibre network in Haliburton but Fort Irwin is not in its immediate roll-out. They said they would work with Mukherjee on solutions in the meantime.

Starlink is not without detractors. Cooper wrote seven commentators on their application expressed concern about the impact the low-orbit satellites could have on astronomy. She said they take the problem seriously and have worked to reduce satellite visibility.

Phil Dubé said he hopes Starlink could be a better option than his slow service north of Kushog Lake. He said as a photographer, the astronomy issue is a concern, though it does not outweigh the possible benefit in his mind.

“That bothers me,” Dubé said. “But I see no opportunity for us whatsoever to have high-speed cable down County roads in Haliburton.”

Plea for speed as Dysart passes climate plan

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Lisa Gervais

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August 28, 2020

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JQ - Dysart climate change - 1 — Dysart et al council approved a climate change plan Aug. 25, but some people are frustrated by the pace. File photo.

Dysart et al council is moving ahead with a climate change mitigation plan, but a councillor expressed the need for more urgent action on the topic.

Council approved the plan Aug. 25, presented by County climate change coordinator Korey McKay as part of a larger County plan. Based on council direction, the municipality will attempt to reduce its 2018 corporate emissions levels by 20 per cent for buildings, 10 per cent for fleet and 80 per cent for waste by 2030.

“It outlines potential opportunities that can be taken to reduce the municipality’s carbon footprint,” McKay said. “Exploring and suggesting best practices.”

That includes improving energy efficiency at municipal facilities, reducing fuel consumption and transitioning to lowemission vehicles, and reducing and diverting organic waste from landfills. A joint municipal climate change working group will strive to implement the plan across the County.

Coun. John Smith said the municipality should tackle organic waste quickly. He noted most of the waste emissions reduction will be driven by landfills closing and waste being carried elsewhere, making the 80 per cent figure misleading.

He said despite Dysart’s efforts to encourage more composting, the amount of organic waste commercial establishments produce still needs to be addressed.

“Some in the community are anxious to see more action at a little faster pace,” Smith said. “The amount of organic waste that shows up at our landfill sites is frankly remarkable.”

McKay responded that the working group will address that, and council can make it a priority.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said she would see about getting that on the agenda at the next committee of the whole meeting Sept. 8. She said approving the plan itself and follow-up work were separate topics.

Smith said the environment and climate change committee – which he chaired – was already exploring the issue before Dysart shifted to a committee of the whole structure, which has not met since the pandemic began.

He emphasized the need for the matter to be on the agenda.

“There are so many practical things that could be done that we don’t talk about, we don’t promote, we don’t get staff engaging in driving these things,” Smith said. “It’s extremely frustrating to people in the community who care deeply.”

Places for People plans more homes in Dysart

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 28, 2020

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JQ - Places for People - 2 — Places for People is planning to build a new housing development in Dysart. File photo.

Places for People (P4P) is proposing a new $2-2.5 million project to build 10-12 affordable housing units in Dysart by fall 2022.

The housing charity presented to council Aug. 25. They seek to partner with the municipality to create the new units, utilizing municipal property. The municipality is already assessing land assets to identify what is suitable for affordable housing, Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said.

The group has historically bought and renovated run-down properties to rent them at affordable rates. But President Jody Curry said they are pivoting to new development to increase housing stock and have prepared to take that on.

“We’ve done it carefully and worked on it for quite some time,” Curry said. “We are ready to take on a multi-unit project right now.”

The group pitched the idea as part of the County’s overarching goal of producing 750 new affordable units over the next 10 years. Curry said the group hopes to contribute 40 units to that goal.

Curry said they envisions the units would be for one or two people, which they said is a market need. She said 76 per cent of households in the County are one or two persons but only six per cent of the housing stock is one bedroom.

“We will be an excellent partner because we have a proven track record,” Curry said. “A lot of experience with building partnerships and leveraging community resources to make hard work look easy and make seemingly overwhelming projects doable.”

The group also presented to County council Aug. 26, where they pitched the County-owned Haliburton Wee Care property as a good place for the development.

P4P treasurer Max Ward said they would use community bonds to help raise the money needed.

“Community bonds are a better investment than a GIC in many ways because an investor gets to invest in our community,” Ward said. “Money stays here and helps the County in all sorts of ways.”

Kennedy said the timing should work well with the municipality’s review of its property inventory.

“They’re ready to move, we have a desire to help support housing here in Dysart,” Kennedy said. “Great timing for us to take a look at it.”

“We’ll take the presentation and take it into consideration, and we’ll work with you,” Mayor Andrea Roberts said.

Board mandates masks for young students

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 28, 2020

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The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) trustees voted Aug. 25 to mandate masks for students in Grades K-3, beyond the scope of the provincial mandate.

The motion extends beyond Grades 4-12, required by the Ministry of Education. The board will allow for reasonable exemptions as outlined in its return to school plan for families, with requests evaluated by principals.

Vice-chair David Morrison noted the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit has advised most children over age two wear a mask at indoor public spaces. He said there is a lot of community concern about younger students only being encouraged to wear masks, instead of mandated.

“Asking all the students – everybody that’s in our building – to wear a mask it not an unreasonable thing, just for safety,” Morrison said. “Does that create challenge? Yeah, I suspect it does. But what’s not creating challenge right now?”

School boards across the province have grappled with the idea, with other boards also going ahead with it. But there is a cost associated, even with parents providing masks.

Superintendent Tim Ellis gave a rough estimate of $400,000 to replace masks for students in those K-3 over the year, given how often they may lose or damage them.

“I’ve come to understand this would scale the cost considerably,” Director of Education Wesley Hahn said. “Health and safety are priority. We will do what we have to do.”

Hahn noted the province is allowing the board to pull $3 million from reserves to help address pandemic-related costs this year. Hahn said the cost for extra masks would have to come from that pool.

Trustee John Byrne said it is worth paying.

“If I can keep COVID out of the school, I’m saving a lot more money than closing down classrooms,” Byrne said.

Trustee Colleen Wilcox said all the letters she has received from staff want this mandate and they will be able to get students on board.

“The teachers are going to get ready,” Wilcox said.

Trustee Stephen Binstock said it may take some time, but young students will pick it up quickly.

“If I’ve learned anything from working with JK-3 students, don’t underestimate what they can do when they know it’s right.”

High school semester shift

Another significant change in back-to-school plans is secondary students learning only one credit at a time, down from the board’s planned two. Hahn said they made the change due to a Ministry of Education suggestion. He said it is to ensure students are not in contact with more than 100 people.

“That’s something we feel strongly about that we have to maintain,” Hahn said.

Byrne said it will be difficult for students to focus solely on one subject for an entire day, even if there are breaks.

“It will affect the mental wellness of a lot of people,” Byrne said.

Superintendent Katherine McIver said the board has successfully done block scheduling in summer school and adult and alternate education.

“We’ll have to attend to student well being,” McIver said. “But we also know that we can build off the success TLDSB has already experienced.”

SIU releases name of man shot by police

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 27, 2020

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JQ - Police news - 1-web — The OPP had a significant presence at Indian Point Road July 17. They were there to investigate the scene of a police shooting July 15. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The SIU has identified the man shot by police in Haliburton County July 15 as 73-year-old Leslie Hegedus.

The agency released the information Aug. 27 after submitting a DNA sample to the Centre for Forensic Sciences to establish next of kin, it said. Hegedus died after an altercation with OPP at an Indian Point Road residence.

The SIU said the investigation is ongoing.

“So far, five civilian witnesses and four witness offices were interviewed,” the SIU said, adding it has the post-mortem results.

The SIU previously reported Hegedus had an interaction with police officers and was struck when two of them discharged their firearms. Hegedus was transported to hospital in Haliburton where he was pronounced deceased.

In its latest report, it said a firearm collected at the scene and the firearm of the two subject officers were sent to the Centre of Forensic Science for analysis. Investigators are awaiting those results.

The Highlander will update this story as more information is made available.

Recreational cannabis store opening

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 27, 2020

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JQ - Cannabis Store - 1-web — Capturing Eden store manager Dylan Haywood. The store can start selling recreational cannabis. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Downtown Haliburton will soon have a recreational cannabis store as Capturing Eden received retail authorization Aug. 24.

The medical cannabis clinic has been working to sell retail cannabis since it opened in May 2019, losing in the initial lottery process. But after going through a months-long authorization, the store hopes to be ready to open to sell recreational cannabis by the Labour Day weekend.

“It’s fair to thank the entire community for all the support they’ve given us,” co-owner Wanita Livingstone said. “This has been a labour of love for us and the community has been very, very helpful.”

The authorization means after passing a final inspection, the store will be able to sell recreational cannabis products, working directly with the Ontario Cannabis Store and its catalogue. That does mean the storefront can no longer be a medical cannabis clinic, but Livingstone said they are looking for a new store space for that service and will continue offering it remotely.

Livingstone said the store can compete with the black market, given its safety and educated staff. They aim to deter 60 per cent of sales in the community.

“There’s not a concern or risk of lacing, not a concern or risk of safety,” Livingstone said. “Rural Ontario is big for the illegal drug trades and we want to be the people that cut that.”

The store is undergoing renovations and the owners installed more security cameras. Everyone who purchases cannabis will need to present ID and there is a maximum of 30 grams per transaction. There will also always be four staff on site, with a maximum of four customers due to the pandemic.

Store manager Dylan Haywood said they did not receive any complaints during a 15-day public notice process in March, required for their application.

“If there was somebody who was dead set on it being a real bad thing, they would have participated,” Haywood said. “The drug is on the market, whether we like it or not. Providing access in a legal and educated way is something that we can’t turn up.”

Livingstone said staff are well trained and they are happy to answer any questions people may have. She said they planned to host a communication forum about the recreational store, but the pandemic made that impossible.

All four of Haliburton’s townships opted to allow retail cannabis in their communities in late 2018. Livingstone said they have worked with Dysart and the County to ensure they were following procedures throughout their application process. No further municipal approvals are required.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said she is thrilled Capturing Eden got the license and she wishes them well.

“It doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree with the product they sell, the province deemed it legal, and clearly it is in demand,” Roberts said. “Wish them every success as I would any retail store in our municipality.”

County advances climate change plan

By

Lisa Gervais

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August 26, 2020

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JQ - County climate change plan - 2 — The County unveiled a draft Corporate Climate Change Mitigation Plan Aug. 12. Above, people at a climate protest. File.

The County of Halliburton unveiled its plan to combat climate change and reduce emissions within the organization Aug. 12.

Climate change co-ordinator Korey McKay presented to County committee of the whole about a draft Corporate Climate Change Mitigation Plan, detailing how it and its four townships could reduce emissions. The plan sets a 15 per cent target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction from 2018 levels to 2030 for the County, as well as different township targets decided by their respective councils earlier this year.

Coun. Brent Devolin said it is a wonderful report.

“For those that think big things don’t happen in the middle of COVID, I think this report and this milestone is a testament today that there are lots of good things going on, even during these challenging times,” Devolin said.

For the County, the plan seeks to address building energy use by conducting energy audits, retrofitting, and developing a new green building policy. The plan also details ways to make the County fleet greener by purchasing low-emission vehicles, implementing electric vehicle charging stations at municipal parking lots and pushing anti-idling. The plan also calls for climate change considerations in existing plans, policies, and decision-making. A joint municipal working group will be established with representatives from each municipality to provide ongoing input.

Coun. Carol Moffatt asked about whether the working group would only include municipal staff, or if it could possibly include members of the public. McKay said that is a council decision but for this plan, she figured the group would have municipal staff, with public members more likely for a community-based plan to come later.

“Staff who work with our buildings, fleet and waste who can provide me with the knowledge and input,” she said.

The committee accepted the report as information and asked McKay to present it to the townships and update it based on comments received.

“You’ve done a good job. A lot of work on this and we have a lot to think about here, about how we’ll go forward,” Warden Liz Danielsen said.