U13 Storm deny Douro

October 22, 2026

The U13 Storm rep team had an incredibly intense game against the Douro Dukes on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 17) in Minden.

The first period started with some great back-and-forth play, with some aggressive forechecks. An early penalty put the Storm down 1-0, but a great effort from Jackson Little and Everett Bjelis to set up Ethan Draker in the slot tied the game.

Second period play saw Douro go ahead 2-1 on an unlucky goal against the Storm. The home side played a very action-packed second period, with three powerplays, but could not tie it up.

The third period began with the Storm still on the powerplay – and, 28 seconds into the period, a great set up play and hard work by William Brown and Grayson Pelley set Draker up for his second goal, tying the game at 2-2. Douro turned right around and responded with their 3-2 go ahead goal shortly after.

The period continued with some chippy and gritty play from both teams. The Storm found themselves in penalty trouble as the period wore on, but a strong penalty kill held Doura at bay and shut them down from getting an insurance goal.

With the clock ticking, Jace Jones showed some unbelievable speed as he rushed the puck through the neutral zone, getting the puck to Pelley who beat the Douro goalie to level the game at 3-3. Douro would sneak another one shortly after, but a resilient Storm just kept pushing.

With 1:09 left in the period, the Storm pulled the goalie while down a man on the penalty kill. A great individual effort by Little drove the play up the ice, he got a pass across to Pelley, who rushed in on the left side and made no mistake, burying his second goal of the game and tying things at 4-4 with two seconds remaining on the clock.

Although the Storm finished with a 4-4 tie, the coaches said it felt like they took home a win. Lucas Neville was the team’s backbone, making some almost-impossible saves to keep his team in the game. Through hard work and exceptional play, the Storm players grew even more as a team and came into the dressing room on a new level.

Walk and vigil for struggling community

Lisa Gervais

October 22, 2026

A grand jury review of allegations of gang rape at Cornell University in New York has prompted a Haliburton County woman to organize a candlelight walk and vigil in Head Lake Park, Haliburton this coming Sunday (Oct 25).

Jennifer Wilson said the idea came about after a client reached out to her “super distressed” about the news from the U.S.

Wilson said her “soul purpose is to help people to align body, mind and spirit, get past things like anxiety, and working through transitions of life.”

She added her client was not alone in her feelings. Wilson, too, felt distressed and was having a hard time. She was thinking, “me too if I’m being super honest.”

She pondered what she and others could do with these thoughts. Wilson said she kept returning to a quote by Rumi: “beyond the idea of wrongdoing and right doing, there’s a field and I’ll meet you there.”

That led to “how can we bring people together, without it being a protest, without it being angry words or taking on the hurt of it… so I thought why not start with our community? Why not come together? Why not hold space for each other?”

She added, “it might be about the Cornell episode, it might just be something you’re struggling with; grief, sadness, anger. Whatever it might be I think as a collective, it’s time to just come together, show support for each other. Some people may be in a position to hold space, where others need someone to hold space for them.”

Wilson said the walk is for men, women, and children. People are asked to gather at the park bandshell at 6:15 p.m. with the walk starting at 6:30 p.m. She said it will be a silent procession and candlelight vigil along the park pathways. Each person will carry an unlit candle, which they will light together in a silent circle of unity and shared reflection at the end of the walk. People are asked to bring an unlit candle (with a paper drip guard), or an LED tea light. Extra candles and lights will be available at the bandshell for anyone who needs one.

Wilson said the event has drawn a positive response.

“It’s being really well-received and almost a collective sigh of relief that we can do something together to show each other that A, you’re safe in your community and there’s lots of good people that want to stand side-by-side with you and help you feel your emotions and B, we’re going to be using honourable silence … which is not about staying quiet, but a deliberate practice of putting down arguments and noise so we can really listen and feel each other’s emotions.”

She added, “there might be three people there, there might be 300 people there. It matters not. The thought that we could come together like that is a beautiful thing. I think of it as that little flicker. Someone might have the tiniest little flicker in their heart. They might say, ‘that would be really nice, but it’s not for me right now’. But it has sparked a little bit of interest of ‘I wonder what it would be like to just walk by myself with a candle’. Even if it sparks that, that’s fine.”

Wilson added they will also be using an ancient practice of carrying a worry stone. “As you walk, you can contemplate what you want to place into that stone, and you can toss that stone into the water and feel like you’re releasing something. It doesn’t need to be words, just feelings.”

Get on the list

October 21, 2026

A seasonal resident reached out this week. He said he and his wife sat down at their computer to vote last Friday (Oct. 16). However, they quickly realized the wife was on the Algonquin Highlands’ voters’ list, but the husband was not. He found it strange since they are both on the title and have been paying taxes for 30 years and have voted every four.

The resident said they have a seasonal property in another town, as well, and this time found the wife was not on the voters’ list, but the husband was. He concluded it wasn’t a one-off mistake.

The resident said he reached out to various mayors and town clerks in both municipalities and looked online to see if this was an issue.

He did not indicate who replied, but said it appeared they knew about the situation, but didn’t seem too worried about it. They told him to follow the necessary steps to get he, and his wife, on the lists. He was frustrated. He felt it was their job, not his.

His query sent me online as well. There wasn’t much on the topic. Very little commentary from municipalities and little media coverage. It further appears that municipal governments and Elections Ontario seem to have known about the issue as far back as July – merely advising their residents to check if they are on the voters’ list. It seems to be a province-wide issue for all second individuals on the title.

Peterborough County council sounded the alarm for voters, and the Ontario government, that there were discrepancies back in June.

North Kawartha Township mayor Carolyn Amyotte urged the province to prioritize the verification of all voter information in a timely manner before sending the information on to their eight Peterborough County municipalities.

Amyotte stressed that many residents of their County live in the region on a temporary or transient basis, referring in particular to seasonal cottage owners. It was these individuals that Amyotte noticed were not included consistently on voter registration lists provided by the province. In 2022, the Ontario government passed Bill 204 stating that Elections Ontario would be taking over responsibility for the provision of voter registration lists for municipal elections from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). During municipal elections, people may vote in multiple municipalities where they own property or reside.

Amyotte noticed a significant reduction in the number of eligible voters, compared to the 2022 municipal election, when reviewing the registration lists with the election returning officer.

Data accuracy is especially important at the municipal level due to the high percentage of people using remote voting options such as mail-in ballots or telephone voting. As such, voters may not have the opportunity to register in-person at the polling station on Oct. 26.

This makes us wonder what is happening in Haliburton County, an area where there are a disproportionate number of eligible seasonal resident voters. How many like the man who reached out to us tried to vote but gave up?

With voting continuing until Oct. 26, we encourage all residents to make sure they are on the list – and, of course, vote: whether online, by phone, or in-person in Minden Hills.

Cast your vote

Mike Baker

October 21, 2026

What a difference four years can make.

Let’s park all the negative connotations of that statement for a second and focus on a positive instead – the much-increased participation, buy-in and overall engagement of the community for this month’s municipal elections.

I’ve already waxed lyrical about the increased number of candidates this time around, 57 across the four townships of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills. Only one position has been filled via acclamation, with Karla MacKay running unopposed in Ward 1 in Algonquin Highlands. There were 12 uncontested races Countywide in 2022.

I’ve had conversations with most of the candidates, while conducting in-depth podcast interviews with mayoral hopefuls in Dysart et al and Algonquin Highlands. All in, I’ve been impressed with the level of knowledge on local issues and municipal processes from those who haven’t run before.

Those seeking re-election spoke with substance, for the most part, discussing their platforms, immediate priorities and how they’d achieve them.

There’s an understanding that this next four-year term is a pivotal one for every County resident. The possibility of amalgamation looms. The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) has completed an affordability and governance structure study for the County, advising that, due to the financial pressures of running five entities, there be some sort of merger in 2027.

For my first few years working here, there was almost a unanimous opposition to amalgamation. It was seen as a dirty word. Now, it’s being presented as the light at the end of the tunnel.

After covering all-candidates meetings in Algonquin Highlands and Dysart recently, I’m sensing a different approach. While most said there wasn’t enough information to make a final decision yet, there wasn’t the histrionics of four years ago. There was a willingness to walk the path, if it makes sense.

Maybe that’s a result of what these candidates are hearing. It was a full house at the Haliburton legion a few weeks ago for the Dysart debate. I spoke to a few people once things wrapped and it was 50/50 on whether amalgamation was the answer to our struggles.

I like that no candidate has centred their platform on trying to push one way over the other. That’s a process we all still need to learn more about.

A myriad of other issues have been raised – taking another look at short-term rental bylaws, finding ways to build more affordable housing, or how to keep up with expensive infrastructure fixes and enhancements.

Thanks to the Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project, all-candidates meetings from the four townships are available online. Between profiles run by TheHighlander, and the Echoand the Times, there’s more than enough out there for folks to make an informed decision.

Voter turnout was around 26 per cent four years ago. We’re already well on our way to beating that number, according to early polling data from the townships. As of Tuesday (Oct. 20), approximately 17 per cent of voters in Dysart had voted in advanced polls, with 15.27 per cent in Minden Hills, 10.49 per cent in Highlands East and 10.14 per cent in Algonquin Highlands.

All four townships are doing phone and internet voting, with Minden the only township running in-person polls on voting day Oct. 26.

Voting concludes at 8 p.m. on Monday, so if you haven’t already – get out there and do your civic duty. Your vote always matters, but this time especially so. The future of the Highlands community may depend on it.

Old, sober and sick

Highlander Production

October 21, 2026

By Adam Frisk

Many say that age brings wisdom. My recent track record suggests otherwise. I recently flipped over another year on life’s calendar, for the 46th time, and it seems that I’ve hit the milestone where a simple sneeze can throw my back out of whack for a few days. But turning a year older wasn’t enough of a celebration; I decided to mark this new chapter of middle age by contracting whatever mutant bug that is currently sweeping through our community.

I have been sick for more than a week. I’m not exactly talking about the mild sniffle kind of sick where you sit on the couch and binge-watch TheX-Files while slurping down some questionable canned chicken noodle soup. I’m talking about the full-blown, head-throbbing, system-rebooting bug that leaves you staring at the ceiling wondering if you forgot how to swallow.

It seems to be everywhere, though. You’ll hear it while grocery shopping, that faint “achoo!” coming from the frozen food section or the stomach-churning cough that you know that person just swallowed whatever erupted up from their lungs.

But it’s the seasonal rite of passage that we all knew was coming. The health unit posts the messages on social media. The pharmacies decorate their windows with gentle, persistent reminders. “Get your flu shot,” they say. “It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s free.”

And yet, I walk past the pharmacy twice a day, five days a week, seemingly nodding at the flu shot poster like someone who definitely intended to book an appointment, while carrying out an internal dialogue boasting about my superior immune system. Turns out I have a far less superior immune system than my inner voice had convinced me of.

What makes this week-long descent into misery somewhat ironic is that I am currently six months sober. Half a year without touching a drop. You’d think the universe would reward six months of clear-headed, healthy choices with some invincibility or at least a functional respiratory system. Instead, my reward for being six months on the wagon is a two-four of Tylenol Complete, a six-pack of tissues, and the realization that my lungs sound like the bagpipes you hear at Head Lake Park on Thursday evenings.

So, to everyone else in the County who is currently staring at the ceiling or coughing into their questionable canned soup, I hear you. And to those of you who actually went out and got your flu shots on time, congratulations on not succumbing to your inner voice. Feel free to wave at the rest of us through the window while we continue to bury ourselves under used tissue while sitting on the couch watching reruns.

The truth is out there.

Coalition defends candidate rankings

Mike Baker

October 15, 2026

The Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations’ (CHA) Paul MacInnes said he was surprised by social media backlash to environmental rankings the organization issued to municipal election candidates last week, noting “probably 80 per cent of the feedback I’ve gotten has been positive.”

On Oct. 6, MacInnes emailed lists containing names of all 56 candidates seeking election this month, outlining the township and position they’re running for. Also included was a letter grade and a percentage score.

Some County residents questioned the lack of context included in the email, with concerns raised over how the rankings will be perceived. There were no questions or responses provided, only grades.

MacInnes said there were four questions asked: do you support keeping our lakes’ shorelines natural for 30 metres back from the water; would you support demanding that Lakelands Public Health inform people of current blue-green algae blooms; would you support action to protect our lakes from extreme wakes and if so, how; and do you support the continuation of septic reinspection programs across the County, and how would you strengthen them?

In total, 24 candidates received an ‘F’, which MacInnes said stood for “failed to reply” – three in Algonquin Highlands, nine in Dysart et al, seven in Highlands East and five in Minden Hills. Other scores ranged from Cs, with a low of 25 per cent (issued to two candidates), to A+, with three scoring 100 per cent.

Group wants environmental issues ‘top of mind’

“We started working on this months ago. We saw this election as being very important for lake health and our future,” MacInnes said. “Our biggest task was coming up with a rankings system that would be fair to everybody – the difficulty was, a number of us (scorers) know a lot of the candidates but there are some we don’t.”

MacInnes said he didn’t want pre-existing relationships to impact the ratings, so the only thing considered were answers to four questions CHA emailed out earlier this summer. MacInnes said he gave candidates more than a month to answer and followed up several times with those who didn’t respond.

“We based the scoring 100 per cent on the answers candidates sent to us. We had a system and that was it,” MacInnes said. “When answers came in, we looked at their responses and how closely it aligned with the principles of lake health – and that’s how the rankings were issued.”

He said results were shared with candidates and individual lake associations across Haliburton County Oct. 6. The Highlander asked how the notification was rolled out, with one candidate at an Oct. 5 Minden Hills all-candidates debate referencing the rankings, seemingly having access to them early.

“Results went out to everybody within a 24-hour period. There was a lot of emails to send and you can’t get them all in one day. But, what we did was, all of our member associations – the people who will use this information on day one [got it Oct. 5] and the candidates got it the next morning,” MacInnes said.

“The only way someone could have known about it on the night of the Minden debate is that a candidate found out from one of the local associations,” he added.

Minden Hills deputy mayor Lisa Schell, who isn’t seeking re-election, criticized CHA for the way they went about this.

“According to the CHA, the rating was done with a consistent system for all candidates and with no bias… here’s the problem, who decides what the ‘correct’ answers are? It wasn’t a yes/no or true/ false requirement,” Schell said. “Releasing this ‘report card’ days before the polls open could be seen as voter interference.”

There are strict rules around third-party advertising in the Municipal Elections Act. Any group looking to advertise something, such as a questionnaire, via broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that supports, promotes or opposes a candidate must register with a municipal clerk prior to releasing anything. However, that only applies if the group incurs a cost. MacInnes said the CHA didn’t spend anything during this process.

“We didn’t say ‘vote for this person’ or ‘don’t vote for them’. We were never intending for this to say ‘we support this candidate’. We just wanted the issue of lake health to be top of mind,” MacInnes said.

More issues

Ron Parkinson, representing Highlands East Lake Organizations (HELO), said he received the results from MacInnes last week and immediately asked for more context. His plan was to issue a more comprehensive package, which went out Oct. 13.

“We definitely didn’t want to just put those ratings out… when we saw those, we were all basically like ‘what the heck is that?’,” Parkinson said.

While the package HELO released did contain more information, including candidates’ answers to questions, there was an issue transferring responses for Highlands East mayoral candidates with some attributed to the incorrect source.

“We’re now in the process of fixing this before we send it back out,” Parkinson said. “We’re not putting anyone in a more favourable position than anyone else. All we want to put out is what people wrote, no grades.”

He said a corrected email blast would be issued to HELO members Oct. 14 or 15, though The Highlander could not confirm as of press time.

MacInnes said this is the first time CHA has gotten involved in an election by asking specific questions of candidates, though he likened it to someone like Haliburton farmer Godfrey Tyler asking Dysart et al candidates about agricultural issues at a recent all-candidates meeting.

“This is the same thing. We’re stepping up because we wanted the topics of lake health to be part of the conversation… there isn’t an organization or job in Haliburton County that wouldn’t be threatened if our lakes went to hell in a handbasket,” he said.

Asked if he, or other CHA members had any regrets, or wished they could do things differently, MacInnes said no.

“We have very clear consciences. We know exactly why we did it… and there’s nothing we would change,” MacInnes noted.

Police board frustrated with overdue cost review

Lisa Gervais

October 15, 2026

With County townships learning they may be on the hook for another 11 per cent increase in OPP costs, the Haliburton Highlands detachment board has written minister of rural affairs, Lisa Thompson, and commissioner, Thomas Carrique, seeking an update on the province’s review of the OPP cost recovery model.

Board chair Andrew Fletcher said the intent of the letter was also to seek clarity on the ministry’s and OPP’s plan to address the growing cost of policing for rural communities.

Solicitor general Michael Kerzner told townships Aug. 14, the province had confirmed no OPP-policed municipality will see its total base policing costs rise by more than 11 per cent compared to 2026 in 2027.

The Haliburton County-generated correspondence reads, “rural municipalities recognize and value the essential role of the OPP in protecting residents, supporting victims, responding to emergencies, and maintaining public safety across large geographic areas.

“At the same time, many rural and small municipalities are experiencing significant and ongoing budget pressures related to OPP billing. These pressures are particularly difficult in communities with limited assessment growth, aging infrastructure, and competing demands for housing, roads, emergency services, health and social supports and community safety initiatives,” Fletcher wrote on behalf of the board.

He added they appreciate the province committing to reviewing the OPP cost recovery model, including work to inform the 2026 annual billing statements; and acknowledge provincial relief measures intended to offset recent increases for small and rural municipalities.

However, he said short-term mitigation does not replace the need for “a sustainable, transparent, and equitable billing framework that reflects the realities of rural policing.”

The board is asking for an update on the status and outcome of the review, including: the key findings and recommendations; how municipal and detachment board feedback was considered; any changes expected to the billing methodology, including the treatment of calls for service, base service costs, overtime, court security, and prisoner transportation; the projected impact of any changes on rural and small municipalities; the timeline for communicating final decisions to municipalities and detachment boards; and the longer-term plan to ensure OPP policing remains financially sustainable for rural communities while maintaining public safety standards.

“We further encourage the ministry and OPP to continue working directly with municipalities, OPP detachment boards, and municipal associations to develop a funding approach that is predictable, understandable, and responsive to the unique challenges of rural Ontario,” the board chair said.

Fletcher added a fair cost recovery model should recognize rural municipalities often have fewer taxpayers over larger service areas, a limited ability to absorb sudden increases, and complex community safety needs that extend beyond traditional enforcement.

“Policing is a shared priority. We are committed to supporting effective local governance, constructive dialogue, and collaborative solutions that protect both community safety and municipal fiscal sustainability. Timely information about the review and the province’s next steps will assist our board and member municipalities in planning responsibly and communicating clearly with residents.”

The letter was CC’d to Kerzner, MPP Laurie Scott, local councils, AMO and ROMA.

County slips while TLDSB lauds results

Mike Baker

October 15, 2026

Student achievement is on the rise across Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) according to recent provincial testing in reading, writing and math, though it’s been more of a mixed bag in Haliburton County.

The province released Education Quality and Assessment Office (EQAO) testing results from the 2025-26 school year on Sept. 25. Exams are completed by students in Grade 3, 6 and 9, while results from last year’s Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, completed by Grade 10 students, is also available.

“The latest EQAO scores from TLDSB are outstanding and are a direct reflection of the dedication of our students, as well as the relentless commitment of our educators and support staff,” said TLDSB board chair Colleen Wilcox.

Over the past five years, TLDSB has seen a marked increase in results boardwide. There has been a 14 per cent swing in the number of Grade 3 students reading at or above the provincial standard – 84 per cent last school year, up from 80 per cent in 2024-25 and 70 per cent in 2021-22. The provincial average was 75 per cent.

It was an even better story with early elementary writing and math, which saw 19 and 24 per cent increases. Last year, 76 per cent of TLDSB students were hitting provincial targets, up from 69 per cent in 2024-25 and 57 per cent in 2021-22. Math proficiency was 80 per cent, up from 72 per cent in 2024-25 and 56 per cent in 2021-22.

TLDSB students are outperforming the provincial average in both areas – 76 compared to 67 per cent for writing and 80 versus 65 per cent for math.

Numbers were largely static year-over-year for reading, writing and math at the Grade 6 level – with 87 per cent of TLDSB students at the provincial standard for reading, down from 89 per cent in 2024-25; 88 per cent for writing, up from 87 per cent; and 55 per cent for math, which stayed the same.

Chief executive officer, Wes Hahn, said there was a notable five-year improvement for late-elementary aged students – nine per cent in reading from 2021-22, 13 per cent in writing and 15 per cent in math.

High school results are also up, with a seven per cent change in math proficiency (52 per cent in 2025-26 from 45 per cent in 2021-22) and a five per cent swing in the number of students passing the literacy test – 83 per cent last school year, from 78 per cent in 2021-22.

“Over the past five years, TLDSB students have made considerable progress, which is evident in these scores,” Hahn said. “We routinely consider EQAO data, along with other information, to support decisions made to support student academic achievement. When we look at the continual improvement of these scores, we can see that TLDSB students are on the right track.”

There have been some big wins in the County – Stuart Baker Elementary School saw significant increases this year, with 64 tested. Reading proficiency increased to 82.8 per cent, up from 72.6 per cent, while writing increased 20 per cent to 79.7 from 59.7. Math results also increased, to 84.4 from 67.7 per cent.

J.D. Hodgson Elementary School also saw positive results. With 66 students tested, 95.5 per cent were reading at or above provincial standards, up from 86.4 per cent in 2024-25. Writing proficiency also increased to 89.4 per cent from 88.1 The one blemish was in math, which dropped to 53 per cent from 62.7.

Ten Grade 6 youth were tested in Wilberforce, with 80 per cent at the provincial standard for reading (down from 81.3), 100 per cent for writing (up from 68.8) and 30 per cent for math (down from 37.5).

It was a tough year for Archie Stouffer elementary in Minden, which saw decreases in five-out-of-six metrics.

In Grade 3, reading proficiency increased to 72.2 per cent, up from 58.3 per cent, though writing (52.8 per cent this year versus 60.4 last) and math (61.1 per cent versus 64.6 per cent) both dipped. There were 36 kids tested.

Fifty-five Grade 6 students were assessed, with reading results down to 72.7 per cent (from 89.5), writing at 69.1 per cent (from 81) and math at 34.5 per cent (from 49.1).

EQAO reported 123 Hal High students sat the literacy test last school year, with 83.7 per cent passing. That was above the board average of 82.6 per cent, but below the provincial average of 85.6 per cent.

Schell: two decades of service

Lisa Gervais

October 15, 2026

A tearful Minden Hills deputy mayor Lisa Schell thanked the community for its trust in allowing her to serve on council for 20 years, as she attended her final council meeting Oct. 8.

Schell said it had been hard finding the words she would say at her municipal curtain closer.

“After 20 years around this table, it is difficult to put into words what this place and this community has meant to me. When I first sat in this chair in 2006, I never imagined the journey that would follow. Twenty years is a long time.”

She said she had watched the community “change, grow, face challenges, celebrate successes, and often come together when we needed each other most.”

Schell added she had learned a great deal during her years on council.

“That municipal government isn’t just about roads, budgets, bylaws, and policies. At its heart, it’s about people and community. It is about the residents who take the time to call because they’re worried about something in their neighbourhood. It’s about the business owner trying to make a living. It’s about our volunteers, our firefighters, our community organizations, our seniors, our young people, and our families. And most of all, it is about caring deeply about the place we call home.”

The deputy mayor and County councillor added there had been difficult meetings over the year, as well as disagreements, “but I’ve always believed that we were all here for the same reason; because we love Minden Hills and we want what’s best for the people who live here, including ourselves.”

She said she has always held firm to the belief, “I can disagree at this council table, but then go to lunch with any of my fellow councillors.”

She said it was not an easy decision to walk away from something that has been a huge part of her life the past two decades. She described it as “bittersweet. But sometimes life reminds us we have to listen to ourselves; take care of ourselves and know when it is time for the next chapter. “Thank you to my fellow councillors past and present.

Thank you to the incredible staff who work behind the scenes every day to keep this municipality moving forward and running smoothly. I want to thank the residents who have trusted me with their voices and their community. I leave knowing Minden Hills is in good hands, and with an enormous amount of pride in having played a small part in that. I will miss this table. I will miss the debates, the laughter, the frustrations, the friendships, and even the long meetings. But, I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life.”

She added she is leaving “with a heavy heart, tremendous gratitude, and absolutely no regrets except for the splash pad that I have wanted since 2008. And the snack bar at the new arena. And the heat.”

Mayor Bob Carter said Schell had shown “exemplary service and been a tremendous help to all of those councils.”

He said he had served with her on two of them, and, “we all owe you a deep amount of gratitude. I, especially, in helping me as the deputy mayor over this last term. On behalf of council and staff and our community, we can’t thank you enough for your dedication and your service.”

New era for Haliburton Sculpture Forest

Mike Baker

October 15, 2026

Some of Nicholas Russell’s favourite memories of life in the Highlands have been forged at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest and now, the local musician is taking on the responsibility of ensuring the popular tourist destination thrives for generations to come.

Russell was unveiled as the forest’s new, and second-ever curator on Saturday (Oct. 10). He’s replacing the retiring Jim Blake, who has held the role since the sculpture forest’s formation in 2001.

Describing Blake as a mentor and a friend, who helped Russell get his business, Haliburton Guitar Studio, up and running in 2017, the new curator said he’s honoured to follow in Blake’s footsteps.

“It’s a very specific job because it requires not only an understanding of sculptures and classical and contemporary art, but also deep networking roots in the community – I feel I’ve established that last part through my business, performing as a musician and being involved in different things. It all felt like a very natural fit,” Russell said.

With Blake staying on in an advisory role, Russell said he intends to lean on his mentor as he learns the ropes of managing a cultural icon. The forest celebrated its 25th anniversary this summer and typically attracts 40,000 visitors per year.

The space boasts 47 sculptures and seven artistic benches on an approximate 1.4-kilometre walking trail. Russell said he usually visits the site at least once a week, seeing it as the perfect spot for his two young children to burn off some energy and learn to appreciate art.

“I think we’ll be there a lot more now,” Russell said.

Asked if he had a favourite sculpture, Russell said he feels a connection to AtmoSphere, the walk-in stone structure created by British Columbia’s John McKinnon and installed in 2013. Russell created an original piece of music people can listen to on their smartphone while visiting the sculpture, which debuted this summer during the ‘Alive 25’ anniversary celebration.

It’s Das Buch XXIII, a steel piece by Marianne Reim that first appeared during the downtown sculpture exhibition in 2019, that really resonates with Russell, though.

“It belies expectation. The sculpture is a book and, when you open it, it says ‘emptiness’. That’s just really interesting and thought-provoking. It opens the mind to doing different things,” Russell said.

His initial focus will be developing a curatorial vision that will help to guide the forest’s future growth. Russell said he wants to bring more performance-based art to the space, while promised new additions will always be top of mind.

“The plan is always to grow… welcoming more Canadian, international and Indigenous artists into the collection,” Russell said. “Every year, if there are a few sculptures added, then that’s a great success.”

Blake, who worked alongside the sculpture forest’s chair, Barb Bolin, and the rest of the board to find his replacement, believes Russell is a great fit for the role.

“I think that Nick’s care and understanding of multidisciplinary art, in tandem with his experience in performance and artistic collaboration, his knowledge of the artistic community in Haliburton and how nature and art work together, will be an excellent addition to the ongoing exploratory spirit of the Haliburton Sculpture Forest,” Blake said.

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