Golf gods said ‘today was his day’

July 9, 2020

Golfers are lucky to get one hole-in-one in their lifetimes, but Doug Campbell recorded his fourth at the Blairhampton Golf Course recently.

“It was very satisfying to get one at Blairhampton, because I have been playing that course for 47 of its 50-year existence,” Campbell said.

Campbell said his family had a cottage in the Highlands for approximately 30 years and he’s always enjoyed playing there.

He said owner Sandy Prozak and her staff have always treated him very well.

As for the unlikely number of hole-in-ones, Campbell, 70, said he’s been playing since he was 13 years old. For 40 of those years, he’s been a single-digit handicap. He said he didn’t get his first hole-in-one until he was 65.

“I got my first one in Florida at Martin Downs Country Club, my second one three months later at Dunsford Golf and Country Club near Bobcaygeon, and my third nine months later at my home course in Florida, PGA Golf Club, Dye Course,” he said.

This one he got on June 23 at Blairhampton, his fourth since turning 65. It came on the 173-yard, par 3, 17th hole, using an eight-iron.

“So, for those that haven’t got a hole-in-one yet, let me say, ‘keep playing. You never know when the Golf gods might just say, ‘today is your day’.”

Meanwhile, Norm Barry shot a rare albatross on June 4. That means he had just two strokes on the par five 13th hole.

“I hit a monster drive,” Barry said. He said he left the ball 187 feet from the pin and dropped it with a five-iron hybrid. It’s his first-ever albatross.

HHHS ups mental health services during pandemic

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2020

More Haliburton County residents will be able to access virtual mental health support during COVID-19 after the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation secured some outside funding.

In her bi-weekly update on local response to the pandemic, HHHS CEO and president, Carolyn Plummer said the Foundation is the recipient of first-round funding from the United Way City of Kawartha Lakes – Emergency Community Support Fund.

“This funding will be used by HHHS and community partners to enhance access to virtual mental health services for vulnerable members of our community, so that more people can benefit from these important supports,“ Plummer said.

Plummer added she wanted to remind the public about services available to support mental health during the pandemic.

“As news of COVID-19 continues to circulate, it is natural to experience periods of stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, frustration, helplessness, isolation, difficulty sleeping or concentration, or physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, upset stomach, or low energy,” Plummer said.

She said many service providers have introduced virtual access to mental health supports, including counselling and treatment. For a list of local service providers and their contact information, visit haliburtoncares.ca or call the HHHS – Community Support Services Response Team by phone 705-457-2941 or by text at 705-457-0016 (Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), or by email at infocc@hhhs.ca anytime.

Other online mental health supports include the Wellness Together Canada portal from the Government of Canada, which provides tools and resources for mental health and substance use supports (wellnesstogether.ca), and Big White Wall, an online peer-to-peer support community for mental health (bigwhitewall.ca).

Plummer said health care workers can also access a set of mental health supports and resources from CAMH (camh.ca/ covid19HCW), as well as the Health Care Worker Assist service from Ontario Shores to provide virtual care for those workers who may be at risk of developing increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Health care workers can access this service by visiting ontarioshores.ca/hcwassist.

Masks to be compulsory at businesses

Area businesses will have to have a policy in place that requires people to wear a non-medical mask or face covering before entering their commercial establishment.

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit said on July 7 that the requirement will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. July 13, 2020.

The use of masks will be required while the provincial Emergency Order remains in force or until such time that the Ministry of Health lifts the requirement.

Health unit COVID reporting comes under scrutiny

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2020

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit will not confirm whether there have been more than 10 positive cases of COVID-19 – among non-permanent residents – in Haliburton County.

The Highlander asked the health unit if it was possible there had been more cases of COVID-19 in the community, and more positive tests at the assessment centre in Haliburton, but that those testing positive are being statistically attributed to the health unit of their permanent residence.

Dr. Lynn Noseworthy said the health unit maintains that based on the information they have received to date, the health unit can confirm 10 people who live in Haliburton County have tested positive for COVID-19.

She confirmed, however, that when a positive COVID-19 test result comes back, the findings are reported to health authorities in the region where the individual lives. She said people can get tested for COVID-19 anywhere in Ontario, regardless of where they live in the province.

“The appropriate health unit/health department will then do follow-up contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19. This includes directing the person to self-isolate, not go out, monitor symptoms and take further precautions to limit the spread of coronavirus,” Dr. Noseworthy said.

She added that details are also obtained about every place that individual visited or persons they were in contact with during their infectious period. She said health units are in daily contact with these individuals to monitor and ensure they are following directions for the required period of time.

In these situations, Dr. Noseworthy said health unit/health department staff will also reach out to other people who may have been in close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19. She said these ‘close contacts’ will be given direction by health unit staff on what to do, including self-monitoring for symptoms, self-isolating or taking other preventive actions. If the contacts develop symptoms, arrangements are made for them to be tested for COVID-19 as well.

“The bottom line is that regardless of where a person lives or is tested for COVID-19 in Ontario, the provincial case and contact management system is very methodical, comprehensive and thorough,” Dr. Noseworthy said.

Members of the public reached out to The Highlander last week. They alleged there had been more than 10 positive COVID test results in the County but they had been attributed to other areas. They felt it resulted in misleading information and a reduction in the perceived risk and gravity of COVID-19 locally.

Crews knock down fire at Scotch Line landfill

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2020

It’s believed an oily rag may have ignited some wood at the Scotch Line landfill, resulting in a July 2 fire that spread to 3,000-square-feet.

Minden Hills fire chief Nelson Johnson said the fire was reported to them about 7 p.m. and they left the scene about 9:30 p.m. last Thursday.

Johnson said the fire was in the construction and demolition, or C&D, pile, mostly containing wood.

Johnson said they initially responded with one fire truck and three members of the department. However, they were unable to get through the gate. Although they had a key, the lock would not open. They had to remove the gate.

He said once they got in, they quickly established their water supply with another 11 firefighters arriving on scene. He said the Dysart fire department was called in to help. He said in addition to water, they used some foam.

Johnson said they utilized a portable monitor so they could throw a lot of water at the fire fast, from a distance. They then used an excavator to check for hot spots.

While he didn’t specifically know the cause, he suspects a chemical reaction of some sort in the heat.

Director of public works, Travis Wilson said C&D waste can sometimes cause a fire, especially with the very hot and dry conditions the township has experienced.

“Typically, what happens is somehow an oily rag finds its way into somebody’s load of C&D. They tip it at the landfill into another large pile of C&D. It is near impossible to spot one oily rag in hundreds of cubic meters of C&D,” Wilson said.

“With the rag buried in the pile, they can spontaneously combust, which can go on for days or weeks. Once it has burnt off enough product for ample amounts of oxygen, it will then turn into a fire,” he said.

He said, luckily they had their excavator on site and the operator was able to assist the fire department by moving the materials around.

“Our fire chief determined that the fire had started near the center of the pile, so the above theory matches what was seen on the ground through his investigation,” Wilson said.

Wilson added that to give the public a further idea of how long it had likely been smouldering within the pile, the landfill was closed July 1 and they only had three visitors who hauled in C&D on July 2, so it could have been smouldering for at least two full days.

Wilson said approximately 345 cubic metres of C&D waste was burnt.

He said as per their Environmental Compliance Approval, they notified the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Wilson credited Johnson and his team for doing “a great job getting on site and extinguishing the fire.”

Highland Wood broke regulations, inspector says

July 9, 2020

Families of residents of Highland Wood in Haliburton are criticizing management of the long-term care home after an inspection found they failed to comply with maintenance regulations for the facility’s roof.

The Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care completed an inspection Feb. 27, finding five regulatory infractions.

The issues relate to the roof severely leaking in February 2019, forcing the evacuation of residents. The report said Highland Wood was not complying with protocols for emergency planning, cleaning, and routine and preventative maintenance.

Family council chair Trina West said the report helps illustrate the families’ belief that the roof collapse was preventable, contrary to assertions of Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS). She added HHHS should have repaired the roof in 2017, at the same time the attached hospital roof was fixed.

“The result of this negligence was the traumatic and unnecessary experience of the displacement of residents in the home due to the extensive roof leak in February 2019, causing severe distress to residents, families and staff,” West said in a June 17 letter from the family council to HHHS administration. “There must be accountability.”

HHHS president and CEO Carolyn Plummer said the organization had already identified some of the issues raised by the inspection and was addressing them through its action plan on Highland Wood released Feb. 21.

“The February inspection report will be helpful to identify strategies for continued improvement,” she said.

The February 2020 inspection was critical of several of Highland Wood’s policies. For one, it found HHHS “failed to ensure there were schedules and procedures in place for routine and preventative maintenance related to the roofing system and flooring material.” There were also no schedules for preventive inspection and there was no documentation of any spot checks, inspections and follow-up by maintenance staff in 2018.

“HHHS was conducting maintenance work and procedures regularly,” Plummer said in reply. “But is taking steps to improve documentation measures.”

The report also noted “three minor and short-lived ceiling leaks identified in June, July and October 2018.” The report said no contractor had inspected or made repairs to the roof in 2018, other than to provide quotes.

An inspection conducted by an engineering firm in May 2017 for the Haliburton hospital and Highland Wood roof identified several issues and suggested replacement between 2018 and 2021.

The report also found cleaning issues stemming from the roof leaks. A de-icing agent began leaking during the roof’s failure, causing white stains on carpets and baseboards. The stains are recurring but should diminish over time, the report said. However, the inspector found the HHHS manager of environmental services was not aware of persisting stains and had not developed a schedule to continually remove them. The report also found HHHS failed to ensure its emergency plans were reviewed and tested as much as regulated. The plans in place during the roof’s failure did not properly address communications and specific staff responsibilities. HHHS also failed in conducting a planned evacuation at least once in three years, as required.

A timeline of significant events for Highland Wood’s roof. Timeline by Joseph Quigley.

Families press HHHS on preventability

HHHS has been under fire for the roof’s failure for more than a year. Residents were evacuated to other long-term care homes until an already-planned roof replacement for the spring could be finished. But there were difficulties, with some residents getting moved as far as Lindsay and Peterborough.

HHHS has relied on the word of a preliminary report from its insurer’s roof inspector, Michael Flynn of Michael Flynn and Associates Ltd., a Barrie-based forensic-engineering company specializing in disaster mitigation. Flynn said the “failure of the roof occurred suddenly without warning.”

“There were no ongoing signs of water infiltration or roof leaks, there are no signs of early failure,” Flynn wrote. “I want to assure you, this event occurred very early on within the service life of the roof and occurred without the normal signs of early failure. No one within your facility is at fault and certainly should not be blamed for this unfortunate incident.”

Flynn’s office declined a request for comment.

Plummer said the extreme weather fluctuations and freeze-thaw cycles created a gap in the roof flashing and a frost crack, allowing more water to leak. The weather created a problem beyond the surface of the roof HHHS had planned to address, she said. The incident also prompted HHHS to adjust the specs of its spring roof work to address the flashing. Plummer said they also retrofitted the flashing at Hyland Crest, a long-term care home in Minden, because of the incident.

Extreme weather damaging roofs was a documented issue in 2019. CBC News reported about a spike in insurance claims about roof damage that winter due to the weather.

In an email to HHHS, Flynn also said he would “attempt to determine the cause (of the failure) once I can substantiate the conditions in which the former and current roof were installed.” But Plummer said no further details or information about causes were ever provided to HHHS by its insurer or Flynn.

Families said they’d raised alarm about the roof not getting repaired in September 2017, the same time the Haliburton Hospital roof was replaced. HHHS received provincial grant funding to repair the hospital roof, but that did not extend to long-term care homes. However, HHHS made plans that year to replace roofs at both Hyland Crest and Highland Wood.

But West said splitting the hospital and Highland Wood roofs was nonsensical.

“It is the same building, so you cannot acknowledge the need to replace one side, then deny having knowledge of any problems with the roof and neglect to replace the other,” West said.

Plummer said it was unfortunate HHHS could not secure the funding for the Highland Wood roof to address it ahead of the planned timeframe. But she maintained the early failure of the roof occurred suddenly and without warning.

The ministry did not directly address a question posed by The Highlander about criticism regarding the lack of infrastructure funding for long-term care.

HHHS also conducted an internal investigation in the wake of the roof failure and found no “evidence of any earlier reports of problematic leaks or challenges,” according to HHHS vice president of support service and chief financial officer Kathy Newton in June 2019.

HHHS has acknowledged errors in its communication and emergency planning, through the release of a lessons learned and draft action plan Feb. 21. The report describes scathing feedback HHHS received from families in the wake of the roof failure. It also highlighted how there were members of staff and management who believed HHHS should have addressed the roof sooner and its failure was avoidable.

“It was preventable and it’s disgusting it was allowed to happen,” the general staff feedback section said. “Played Russian roulette and lost.”

“(Surprised) that the roof was not dealt with sooner,” the report said about general management feedback. “The previous
HHHS director of maintenance publicly said the roof was a ‘ticking time bomb.’ Surprised that there was no funding supplied.”

Plummer told The Highlander in February, after the report’s release, she had never heard those words from the previous director of maintenance and could not tell if it was accurate. The Highlander was unable to find any other record of the comment being made.

The action plan lays out actions HHHS would take in the short, mid and long-term to address the feedback, including improving emergency plans, a communication strategy and implementing an infrastructure renewal plan. But Plummer said increased workloads due to COVID-19 had delayed progress.

However, she added that the Highland Wood incident has informed efforts to improve communications about COVID-19 with staff, families, residents and the public. That has included regular messages, a hotline for staff and long-term care families, question and answer documents for staff and a community-based website with resources.

“We will continue to maintain and improve upon this more robust communication approach, and remain open to feedback,” Plummer said.

History of issues
Haliburton Roofing Ltd. owner Gunter Franke had done maintenance on the roofs of Highland Wood and Hyland Crest since they opened in 2000, up until HHHS discontinued use of his services in April 2018. Franke alleged his dismissal was over a dispute with a new maintenance director after he refused to do work in inclement weather. Plummer said Franke did refuse to work, but added it did not impact future consideration of him as a contractor.

Franke alleged the roofs had issues for years and should have been redone well before scheduled. Franke said he was regularly called to repair leaks at Highland Wood. As the years went by, Franke said he grew concerned about the state of the roof. He alleged he informed the former director of facilities and projects Peter Fearrey about the need to replace it, giving warnings since 2014/15.

“As the years got on, the worse the roof got, the harder it was to find the leaks,” Franke said. “Every time it got harder, I told … the maintenance guys it’s time. The roofs are shot.”

Roofer Gunter Franke claims he warned Haliburton Highlands Health Services about the need to replace the Highland Wood roof for years. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Mike Wilson owns Northland Coverings, another Haliburton roofing company. He said he was called to examine the roof for issues twice with Fearrey at least two years ago. After checking, he said he did not want to do any quotes on it.

“They just wanted patch work and it needed a full replacement like the hospital roof,” Wilson said. “All I can say is that it was years before the (Highland Wood) evacuation that they knew of the problems.”

He added he was called specifically to address leaks.

“They showed me where it was leaking on the inside,” Wilson said. “I just said the roof is past its life.”

HHHS picked Hyland Crest for roof work first in 2018 due to leak problems there, according to Newton. They planned to work on Highland Wood subsequently. As far as HHHS knew, there was no need to push the schedule up or have work at the two facilities done at the same time, Newton said.

“There wasn’t an active leak in Highland Wood. It wasn’t in failure. We were still a year ahead of the proactive plan,” she said. “There was nothing telling us, giving us any reason to be concerned.”

In response to the roofers’ accounts, Plummer again quoted from Flynn’s report about the roof and that the incident was unpredictable and occurred suddenly and without warning.

“HHHS does not believe there is reasonable basis to question the inspector’s conclusions,” she said.

Cindy Franke, Gunter’s partner, said the situation reflects poorly on them as they maintained the roof for years. She further said she disagrees with how HHHS has portrayed the situation.

“They’re making it sound like this was all of a sudden,” she said. “That’s not how it happens.”

West said ultimately, the Highland Wood roof evacuation caused a great deal of hardship and damage for the people involved.

“The mental damage, psychological damage is the biggie here in this. The psychological damage done to the residents and the families,” she said. “Nothing like this should ever happen to vulnerable people like this.”

COVID-19 puts long-term care homes under scrutiny

The province is placing long-term care homes under scrutiny after COVID-19 outbreaks, deaths, and military reports of neglect at several privately-run homes. They are launching an independent commission to identify systematic issues.

There have been no such reports for HHHS homes and no COVID-19 cases in them. Plummer said HHHS welcomes the commission.

“As has been seen through the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for more investments in the Long-Term Care sector in terms of infrastructure, staffing, equipment and training,” Plummer said. “HHHS hopes to see these issues raised through the course of the independent commission’s work.”

Plummer said the pandemic has resulted in hospitals assisting long-term care homes across the province. It is a model HHHS has used for years, with its integrated buildings and programs. Plummer said it would be good if the province could provide funding in a way that reflected that integration.

“It would be of great value for integrated organizations such as ourselves if we were able to operate from a seamless or single funding pool so that resources could be unified across all programs and facilities,” Plummer said. “We will actively seek opportunities to share our experiences and provide input to support positive change for the Long-Term Care sector.”

Ministry of Long-Term Care spokesperson Tanya Blazina said the forthcoming commission will address issues and uncover how COVID-19 impacted long-term care.

“This independent, transparent commission will get to the bottom of this crisis and enable us to take quick and decisive action to address the pressing issues facing our long-term care homes. Ontarians deserve answers, and they will get them,” she said. “Details including terms of reference, membership, leadership of the commission and reporting timelines, will be announced in the coming weeks.” (Joseph Quigley)

Minden Hills landfills open doors wider

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2020

Minden Hills taxpayers are now able to take other materials to two waste disposal sites, after being restricted to just household garbage and recyclables for months.

Council voted July 2 to allow exact change payments of cash immediately and a digital payment system in the very near future.

Just two weeks earlier, they voted against going entirely cashless with a Square system at Scotch Line and Ingoldsby.

Director of public works, Travis Wilson, thanked staff for bringing the item back to a special meeting.

“Staff were eager to get a form of payment for Scotch Line and Ingoldsby sites and hope the changes proposed in this report can receive the support of a majority of council,” he said.

Wilson explained, “if you come in with $5 for garbage (if you are over the bag limit) and only have a $10 bill, we have to accept a $10 bill, or perhaps a digital payment.”

The system, designed to limit contact between the public and landfill staff during COVID-19 would be in place to Oct. 31, and then reviewed.

Coun. Bob Carter asked when the changes could be implemented. Wilson said the cash option could be done almost immediately but it could take two to three weeks from July 2 to get the digital payment system up and running.

Coun. Jean Neville wanted cash payments to be accepted as soon as possible. “There is going to be a lineup at (Highway 35) with just the people I know who have been after me about this construction waste,” she said. “I’ve had people that have taken pickup trucks there twice and had to go home and unload them because they’ve been turned away. There’re people that have drywall disintegrating into their yards that they’re trying to get rid of, trailers that are full to overflowing and we have to start this like today. I have people constantly, every day, at me about this. I’m losing sleep over it so we can’t wait any longer.”

Wilson said no other municipality is accepting cash payments, and “in terms of getting things started, staff would have liked to have this in place two weeks ago, however we’re back at this again today.”

CAO Lorrie Blanchard expressed some reservations. For example, she said council had to consider scenarios such as, “someone comes up and they say ‘I’ve got a $20 bill and I wanted to bring an extra bag of garbage with me’, which is $2 and we’re not going to give them $18 back and the person says, ‘you know what? I was going to buy a bag of milk with that.”

She said she was also seeking a legal opinion as the township could also be dealing with its fees and charges bylaw. She noted the discussion also was cross-organizational, such as the handling of money at the administration office when reopened.

Mayor Brent Devolin asked if they couldn’t just proceed unless a reason came up that they could not.

Coun. Ron Nesbitt agreed, saying he’d had numerous calls from people about when the township will accept other items. He said he’d also had calls about illegal dumping.

Coun. Neville added, “We’re infracting ourselves on the clean and clear bylaw with people’s yards.”

Coun. Carter said the township shouldn’t “confound” the issue but just stick to landfills for now.

“As long as you put it out there … (that people) need correct change, then so be it. Just do it and get this going. The decision we make today is not necessarily the decision six weeks from now. See what the issues are, refine as we go along. Be logical about this and get it going.”

Coun. Pam Sayne said there would be lineups and proper staffing must be in place to manage traffic so people can get in and out as quickly as possible

Algonquin Highlands wades into short-term rental waters

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2020

Short-term rentals are on the agenda when Algonquin Highlands staff and council meet for a special council meeting July 10.

Mayor Carol Moffat said during the mayor’s report on CanoeFM July 2 that it will be an E-meeting as they have been doing for several weeks.

She emphasized it’s not a public input session.

“This is simply a meeting where council will get our feet wet. We’ll receive a staff report. We’ll find out what other folks are doing.”

Moffatt conceded it is a contentious topic.

“Short-term rentals are a really important aspect of our community and our economy. They’re problematic as well. So, we need to find a balance there.”

Moffatt added, “we’ll make sure there’s plenty of notice for the public input process going forward.”

She encouraged anyone who wants to watch the proceedings to check out the township website or the mayor’s Facebook page for a link.

Office reopening

As of last week, the Algonquin Township office is open. Moffatt said as staff transition back, there are protocols in place for the public. “It’s to keep public and staff safe, of course,” she said. Moffatt reiterated they’re doing visits by appointment only for now. People have to call ahead and book an appointment with the staff person they want to see. It’s also “BYOM,” or bring your own mask. Moffatt said staff are eager to get back to work but also have trepidation as it’s still “a worrisome time.” “There is no such thing as business as usual, which I think we all know. But we are encouraging folks to continue doing their business with staff by phone and slowly getting back to an 8:30-4:30 routine with staff in the office. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

Square at landfills working well

Moffatt said the new digital payment system installed at the Maple Lake landfill is working out well. The township put the touchless pay system in place a couple of weeks ago, which is allowing them to collect construction and demolition waste, and things such as tires and electronics after a long COIVD-19 related ban. Those items can be taken Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week. “The first couple of weeks went really, really well so we’re really glad about that,” the mayor said.

Harp on the Water: chapter 7 – Twisted Party

Lisa Gervais

July 8, 2020

Two officers held up their phones and showed Harp evidence that the shore path had been used recently—broken branches, stirred-up pine needles, impressions of shoes. All roads lead to the point, thought Harp.

Becker notified everyone to assemble for a re-enactment of the previous night’s events. Just after 7:30 the cottagers arrived and assumed the approximate spot they had been in during the fireworks.

Bob Mackenzie-Wilson stood on his dock and Ariel and Heather Froome sat on chairs next to Heather Mackenzie-Wilson. Heather’s boys sat at her feet. In their canoe, Sally and Nibbles drifted to the left of the dock— to suggest their actual position by the point. Harp had requested the Maladees’ presence and their speedboat bobbed to the right of the dock. Gill’s boat was steady between the two and near the Calvert property line, Grace sat in her boat—away from the group but close enough to hear. Everyone waited in uneasy silence.

“Can we get this started?” Bob snapped.

Harp and Becker stood on the dock facing opposite directions—Becker eyeing the water-bound guests and Harp the others onshore. The detective smiled.

“Thank you all for your patience. We just want to make sure we understand where everyone was last night. As we proceed, speak up if you recall any changes around you. We’re looking for the truth.”

Harp winked at the two kids.

“Easy—right guys?” They grinned, all ears.

“Marc and Marie, you were in the city, correct?”

They nodded.

“And Grace, you were on the path in the woods.

And Frank, you’re at your cottage. It’s 11:00 and Bob lights the first firecracker.”

Harp turned to Bob.

“Name?”

“Spiral Daisy,” he said, looking at his watch, bored already.

“Everything the same?”

Harp received a round of nervous nods in reply. Bob continued, “Barn Burner.” Harp gestured to keep going. “Spiral Staircase, Flower Power, A Message From Mars, Purple Petunia—.” The group kept on nodding. Bob said, “Twisted Party, then—.”

“Stop,” Ariel interrupted. “Mimi, I think you went to use the bathroom at this point.” Mimi’s eyes darted and she forced a smile. “Yes.”

“Stand up and step a few feet away, please,” Harp said to her then signaled Bob to continue. “Cherry Bomb, Symphony of Colour—.”

Becker said, “Nibbles? When did you see the light in the trees?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah….” Nibbles scratched his head. “Which one spins orange?”

“Cherry Bomb, of course,” Bob said. “Jerk,” he added under his breath.

“During that one,” Nibbles said, “For sure, man, and right there.” He pointed at the Calvert shore then turned to Sally and whispered, “Right before we—.” Sally hissed, “Shut up.” He looked at her, hurt, then turned away.

“So. Someone was in the woods and turned on a flashlight.” Harp spoke slowly and let his words sink in. He asked Ariel. “Is Mimi still in the bathroom?” She nodded then glanced at her wife.

“We just want the truth. Simple, remember?” Harp said. The group stared back at him. The minutes ticked by. In their boat, Marie started to cry and Marc patted her on the shoulder. She flinched. Harp noticed and said, “Time for the truth, Mr. and Mrs. Maladee. We know you were on the lake last night. We saw the sparklers you bought in town yesterday. Were you on your way to the point? Wanted to have a word with Ida? Is that it?” Marie stifled a wail. “You’ve upset her,” Marc said sternly.

“TELL THE TRUTH—,” Marie screamed. Everyone turned, eyes wide. Marc gulped, looking between his wife and the waiting crowd. “Fine—we just went to have a word with her.”

Harp roared, “We?”

“Myself, Mimi—and Sally.”

“YOU’RE LYING!” Sally screamed. Harp pointed at Sally. “Ah—that light was a signal for you to paddle around to the Calvert dock. To meet on the point and to kill an innocent woman.”

“Ridiculous.” Sally spat in the water. Ariel’s eyes widened. “Mimi this isn’t true, please god—.”

“WE JUST WANTED TO TALK TO HER.” Mimi cried.

“But—she was already dead.” Someone gasped. “That’s right,” Marc said breathlessly. “Someone had bashed in her face.”

Harp clarified, “Someone—here.”

The group shifted uneasily. Bob scowled. Mimi fidgeted. Ariel rocked, eyes closed. Heather looked out at the lake. The boys kept their eyes on Harp. On the water, the boats bobbed silently. A mosquito drilled into Harp’s forearm.

Marc snapped, “Are we done here?”

Harp ignored him. Hot, rustling silence filled in around them—until it was broken by a nasally voice Harp had never heard. The voice said, “You went away.” The detective looked around. Another high-pitched voice murmured in agreement. All eyes turned to the two boys sitting at Heather’s feet. They pouted, eyes cast down.

“Huh?” Bob said, eying his progeny.

“When was this?” Harp demanded. “Before,” the two boys said in unison. “Before—the fireworks?” Becker said. The kids nodded. Heather looked out at the water. Her skin had taken on a blotchy paleness. Harp felt his heart banging in his chest. The group’s eyes turned on Heather.

Suddenly, Marie Maladee cried, “…You’re bleeding.” Heather gasped. A dark stain oozed through the left knee of Heather Mackenzie-Wilson’s yellow pants. She quickly placed her hand over it but the pressure made a thick line of blood roll from under the cuff of her pants and run down her ankle. Pain, knee, recent—Harp’s eyes shot open.

He said, “You hit your knee? …You hit your knee—on Ida Calvert’s steel bed frame—after you killed her with the log! You had to hurry back before the fireworks started. It was dark in her room. You couldn’t see. After what you’d done—you panicked and hit the sharp, steel corner.”

“GARBAGE!” Bob folded his arms over his oiled belly. Harp pointed across the lake. “The boat launch is clearly visible from here. You saw Grace and realized her boat was gone and that she’d have to walk. You knew this was your chance, isn’t that right, Heather?”

Her face twitched. She rubbed one foot against the other to clear the blood but instead, it spread over both feet.

“Isn’t that right?” Harp said quietly. Bending down, she wiped ineffectually at the blood, smearing it on her hands, too.

“Bob always wanted the point. … Always. Every single day all I hear….” She mimicked her husband’s booming voice, “‘Forget this place. I want the point!’” She looked up at Bob. “Now you can have it.”

“Oh…Heather,” Bob gasped. She stood up and limped towards him, her voice cracking. “I just want you to be happy. Having the point will make you happy. And if you’re happy—well, you’ll be nice to me.” She held up her bloodcovered palms. “…You’ll be nice to me, won’t you, Bob? Say you’ll be nice—.” Just then her knee gave way but he caught her in time and held her in his arms. The two kids clung to their parents and they all cried—but not Heather. Her eyes were closed and a peaceful smile had settled on her face.

Turtle guardians take on egg hatching duties

Lisa Gervais

July 6, 2020

Haliburton’s turtle guardians are taking the safe hatching of eggs into their own hands. The Land Between charity began its first-ever turtle incubation program in June.

The group has gathered 2,000 eggs for Haliburton, with another 13,000 amassed at Scales Nature Park through a partnership. Founder and chief operating officer Leora Berman said the odds of a turtle hatched from captivity reaching maturity is four times greater than a turtle hatched in the wild. With human centres and traffic devastating turtle populations, Berman said it is an important program.

“Turtles are essential agents of biodiversity … If we don’t have turtles out there, we’re basically screwed,” Berman said. “We’re giving the turtle population a little boost.”

Berman said the program is going well so far and they are pleased with the number of eggs they have gathered. She added it is important for the area, given the bioregion houses about 30 per cent of the provincial turtle population.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created difficulties for the charity, Berman said, with funding sources drying up. It has also caused it to cancel its day camp programming. But she added the organization still has a strong volunteer base that has helped it continue its operations.

“It’s forced us to look at new ways of reaching people,” Berman said. “There are stronger relationships with our volunteers, so we are relying more on our volunteers because of the funding cuts.”

Part of that volunteer base is getting involved in the charity’s citizen scientist programs, launched this year to engage people in helping further local research. Activities include turtle nest sitting, watching for reptiles on roads, and recording evening bird calls.

“With more bodies on the road and more eyes on the road, we can help more turtles,” Land Between senior conservation technician Meredith Karcz said. “To create sustainable change for turtles and wildlife, you need to get people interested. We wanted to create a program that’s fun for kids, fun for families, fun for retired people.”

The turtle eggs are due to hatch around September. Berman said they hope to continue the incubation program in perpetuity.

“We want to continue this forever, until turtles are not threatened. Until our fish and wildlife are stable,” she said.

Graduates overcome adversity

Lisa Gervais

July 6, 2020

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) 2020 valedictorian Rebecca Archibald reflected on challenging circumstances as she addressed her classmates in a pretaped ceremony broadcast June 24.

Due to the pandemic, she spoke from the school standing alone on stage, with no immediate audience to respond. But Archibald said she has admired her class’s ability to keep a positive mindset when faced with uncertainty through the entirety of the year.

“I am so proud and inspired to see the strength, the decision to choose joy and the amazing adaptability put into action by my fellow students,” she said.

The commencement ceremony recognized this year’s graduates with the usual flourishes, including music, speeches, awards and video montages. Graduates were also able to attend school in person June 25 on a scheduled basis to walk across the stage with their diploma and get photos.

Vice-principal David Waito said staff wanted to preserve as many traditional elements of the ceremony as possible to honour the right of passage.

“We recognize that this year’s ceremony is not what any of us envisioned it would be,” he said. “But this doesn’t change how proud we are of your achievement, or how proud you should be, or how significant this graduation can be to you and your lives.”

The ceremony also featured remote video tributes from alumni. NHL forward Matt Duchene offered congratulations to the class.

“What you guys have been able to accomplish this year is incredible,” Duchene said. “Be the leaders the world needs and make this world a better place. I know you guys can do it.”

Principal Chris Boulay reflected on the difficult circumstances and said it would be unfair to ask students to find the silver linings but he also spoke to how youth can change the world.

“This graduation class exemplifies strength, resolve, determination, empathy and voice. It is abundantly clear for all of us, to navigate out of these times of darkness, sadness, and worry, we will need to lean on our youth. For youth to write the wrongs, to put an end to social injustices, to bring us hope,” Boulay said.

Archibald said the class will do well by choosing to find joy in life.

“There will be struggles and changes in plans. But because of your joy and resilience that you witnessed and practiced at Hal High, I’m confident you will go on to be joyful leaders wherever you are.”

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