Drive-in movies coming to County

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July 13, 2020

Abbey Gardens will be converting its gravel pit into a drive-in theatre starting July 22 until the end of the summer.

Lesley English, who is on the Little Pit Drive-In committee, issued a press release July 10 to announce the initiative.

She said it will be Canada’s first off-grid drive-in with Brian Nash of Haliburton Solar and Wind just one of the many partners in the project.

English said other partners include the Haliburton County Development Corporation, Those Other Movies; everyone at Abbey Gardens; and the Little Pit Crew.

“Earlier this year, a small group of volunteers came together to reimagine theatre-going as a community building experience during a global pandemic,” English said.

She said they asked questions such as: how can we bring people together in a way that is safe and still builds community?; what kind of event can we create that will raise awareness of Abbey Gardens and appeal to a broad cross section of people?; and, what would underscore Abbey Gardens mission to educate the community about living more sustainably in a way that is fun and impactful?”

She said the answer was a drive-In, but “not just any drive-in but one which is powered by solar and wind energy.”

Nash said, “they’re going to be powering the drive-in from our off-grid office.” To do that, he said they’d be plugging in a long extension cord, using about 720 watts over a six-hour period. The local company is donating its solar and wind supply.

Planning committee member Barb Bolin said, “We have lost so many of the cultural outings that we in Haliburton are used to having in our backyard but are not able to access this summer. Abbey Gardens and its partners see the Little-Pit drive-In as a safe way of inviting the community to a fun outing and the opportunity to get to know us better.”

On Wednesday evenings at sunset for the duration of the summer, the Little Pit Drive-In @ Abbey Gardens will be screening double features of both old and new movies.

“From horror flicks, a drive-in staple, to frothy, feel good British comedies and everything in between, The Little Pit will have something for everyone,” English said. She added that special live intermission attractions are also in the works.

The committee, which also comprises Barr Gilmore, Heather Reid and Tammy Rea, will also serve as a ‘proof of concept’ and model for other theatre-type events that will demonstrate how presenters can present and communities can still support the arts, and live entertainment in a safe, enjoyable environment,” English said.

To ensure the safety and well being of guests, she added that current COVID-19 restrictions will be in place for the duration of summer 2020.

She expects a strong demand for tickets since there will be only 30 spots.

People can book tickets through the website (abbeygardens.ca/littlepitdrivein) in advance.

The cost is $50 per car, including complimentary popcorn. People can pre-order food and beverages. There will be car service for everything but beer. It can be purchased from Haliburton Highlands Brewing before the movies or during intermission. Doors will open at approximately 8.30 p.m. for a 9:15 p.m. show.

Abbey Gardens is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides economic and recreational opportunities while furthering our mission to educate our community about living more sustainably and restoring our social and natural environment.

Police kill cottage-raiding bear

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 13, 2020

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JQ - Bear shooting - 1 — A bear photographed in the Kennisis Lake Area July 5. OPP shot and killed a bear in the area the next day.

Police shot and killed a bear in the Kennisis Lake area July 6 which they said was due to it posing “an immediate and significant risk to public safety.”

Central region acting staff Sgt. Jason Folz said police located the bear retrieving food from inside a cottage and eating it on the deck. Folz said the bear had entered numerous cottages in the area over the past three weeks before getting caught in the Pine Point Road community.

“The bear was entering several dwellings in search of food and had lost its fear of humans,” Folz said. “For that reason, the bear was dispatched in the interest of public safety.”

Maxim Budnick is a cottager in the Kennisis Lake area who said he encountered a bear at his cottage July 5. Although it is uncertain whether the bear was the same one shot the next day, he said the bear was attempting to approach cottages.

“I was on the deck and we were about 25-feet away … Just started yelling at him, ‘hey, get out of there,’” Budnick said. “He wasn’t scared at all.”

He said the bear went to the other side of his cottage and stared into the basement window, ripping a hole in the screen with its claw. He said he scared the bear off and has not seen it since.

“What that bear needed was a good spray,” Budnick said. “I just knew the bear needed to be scared or else it was going to be a problem.”

These were not the only reports of problem bears in Haliburton in recent weeks. People reported a bear breaking into cars in the Drag Lake area in June. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) was called to set a trap. But the Drag and Spruce Lake Property Owners’ Association reported the trap was taken down June 29 after the bear was not caught, with it likely having wandered away.

Folz said it would not have been appropriate to wait for the ministry in this case.

“The bear posed an immediate and significant risk to public safety,” Folz said. “MNRF would deal with nuisance bears and we deal with immediate threats where people are in jeopardy.”

The MNRF warns bears are attracted to the smell of food. They advise people should store garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids in bearproof locations, keep pet foods indoors, remove bird feeders in spring and keep BBQ grills and drip pans clean.

Budnick said it is unfortunate for a bear to be killed in such a way. He added although police thought it was necessary, people need to be mindful to not let bears access their food.

“Most likely the bear has had easy access to food somewhere,” Budnick said. “It’s just unfortunate some people don’t understand the implications of feeding wild animals.”

Art becomes ‘yoga for the mind’ in pandemic

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Lisa Gervais

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July 11, 2020

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JQ - Online art - 1-web — Artist Carole Finn sits with her laptop, which she has used to conduct online art classes throughout the pandemic. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

When COVID-19 hit, Janice Bishop said she needed an outlet.

With her business, All-Season Cottage Rentals, sidelined, she said she wanted to find something to do. Despite never having painted, she took a shot at a new online class with renowned local artist Carole Finn.

“I needed something to keep my mind active and distracted from what was happening,” Bishop said, adding her creations shocked her. “(Painting) gave me peace – like doing yoga for the mind.”

Like many, Finn had to adapt her art classes to the realities of the pandemic. She began offering a workshop online using tools such as Photoshop to help guide painters. She said the results were strong and she began exhibiting works the class produced at her home gallery July 1. Finn said she kept teaching a small number of five or six students, including one from British Columbia.

Though social interaction is limited compared to in-person classes, Finn said the format makes for a more focused experience.

“You have to be willing to take the time to work and get it done instead of talking,” Finn said.

Professional potter Barbara Joy-Peel also took the course and said she enjoyed what it taught her.

“It’s worked out well,” she said. “It gave a social outlet too because we were communicating with the rest of the class.”

Student Joanne O’Keefe has been painting for 10 years. She said the online classes were more flexible than in-person, which allowed her to attend.

“The only reason it happened was because of Zoom,” O’Keefe said. “It was a great experience and I’ve become a better artist because of it.”

The student art exhibition will continue running until July 12 at Finn’s artist’s centre at 15 Newcastle St. in Minden, with masks and sanitizing required. The online classes are available by messaging Finn at finn@ halinet.ca.

“I have to go back to work but I will definitely continue to paint as a hobby because I continue to amaze myself with what I’m doing,” Bishop said. “It was just a really positive experience.”

“I believe creativity is in everybody,” Finn said. “It’s so much fun to be able to help people discover that they really can do it.”

Gathering devices to show they care

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Lisa Gervais

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July 11, 2020

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JQ - Caring Connection - 1-web — SIRCH food security coordinator Emma Wood (left) and connectivity project coordinator Rebecca Anderson hold devices being gathered for a new community service initiative. Photo submitted.

SIRCH, Rotaract and Big Brothers and Big Sisters are partnering to put technology in the hands of people in need to help connect the community.

The three groups began “A Caring Connection” July 5, an eight-week program to collect used technology, clear them of data and update them, then provide them to people. A Rotaract member will be paired up with each person receiving a device to ensure they know how to use it.

Rotaract Haliburton Highlands president and project coordinator Rebecca Anderson said providing this technology is important given the separations caused by COVID19. She cited some of the vulnerable populations being hit hardest by the pandemic – isolated seniors, women in dangerous living situations without phone access and children in families without enough devices.

“There is a lack of connection in our community and it’s felt by the most vulnerable in our community,” Anderson said. “How are you expected to do schoolwork without a computer? How are you going to call 911 without a phone? How are you going to feel included in the community when you can’t even connect with your community?”

The groups will collect the devices, including phones, laptops and desktop computers that can still work. They aim to gather 500.

SIRCH executive director Gena Robertson said it is great to see a youth-led organization such as Rotaract partnering and taking this on.

“I haven’t witnessed a great deal of youth volunteerism, so to me this is really exciting,” Robertson said. “Stay in Haliburton County … and participate in the social services in the County.”

Anderson said it is valuable for Rotaract, which launched in February but was curtailed by the pandemic.

“It shows how serious we are when it comes to serving our community,” Anderson said. “It’s a really great opportunity for us to get out there.”

Anyone looking to donate devices can call SIRCH at 705-457-1742 to arrange drop-off or pick-up. Anyone interested in being part of this program or learning more about it can contact Rebecca_anderson@sirch.on.ca.

“I can’t wait to see the generosity of our community,” Anderson said. “I’m really excited to see this project go.”

Jays’ taste for signs leaves County feeling blue

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Lisa Gervais

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July 10, 2020

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JQ - Blue Jay vandals - 2-web — The County of Haliburton is once again grappling with Blue Jays damaging municipal address signs. Photo via Flikr.

The County of Haliburton is once again dealing with an unexpected flock of vandals damaging municipal address signs.

Director of Public Works Craig Douglas reported about the problem of blue jays defacing 911 signs at the June 24 council meeting. The issue spiked around 2014, when the birds damaged hundreds of signs, prompting the County to install plastic coverings to prevent further damage. Douglas said the issue is being felt hard again this year, with about 400-500 signs being defaced. The expected replacement cost is $7,500.

To address it, Douglas proposed replacing the signs in bulk at the County’s expense, with plastic coverings added once again. Council approved the expenditure.

“We were hoping it was a one-time issue,” Douglas said. “It’s a health and safety issue and we want to get on it right away.”

Douglas said the plastic coverings cost about $15 per sign. Staff had tried to chase individual homeowners to help cover replacements in the past, Douglas said, but found it not worthwhile.

“We were chasing money, going on a long time and making these single trips out to who knows where to replace one sign,” Douglas said.

Douglas said the issue has persisted over the years, with up to 35 signs annually replaced, but this year has been the worst one since 2014.

Ornithologist offers answers

Emeritus professor of Wildlife Biology at McGill University David Bird said this is not a situation he has heard of before, but he is “almost 100 per cent certain” the birds are attacking the signs for calcium carbonate, used in paint and coatings. He said it is a nutrient blue jays use to produce eggs. He said there are accounts of them pecking at the paint on the sides of houses or railings for the same reason.

“The birds are deriving a nutritional benefit from eating the calcium carbonate in the paint,” Bird said, adding they may ingest it immediately or stow it away.

He said other possible explanations for birds pecking at artificial surfaces – such as defending territory or even reminding humans of empty feeders – do not make sense in this scenario.

Bird said the behaviour may have spread within the County because of how Jays observe each other.

“Birds are very visual creatures and they watch each other all the time,” he said. “These kinds of behaviours get copied by other birds. Because they say ‘hey, that guy must be getting something good off that sign,’ and next thing you know, it’s part of the population.”

Douglas said in smaller numbers, they have found other road signs damaged as well. He said they have found reports of similar issues in the Parry Sound area and Cook County in Minnesota, but not amongst Haliburton’s neighbours.

Bird said the spike this year may have something to do with changes in natural conditions, causing jays to have a harder time finding egg-making nutrients in the environment. Those conditions may be local-specific, which may be also be why other places do not experience the problem, Bird said. The remote landscape of Haliburton may also mean the jays do not spread the behaviour farther out to neighbouring areas, he said.

Time to fix long-term care

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 10, 2020

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In March, a Ministry of Long-Term Care inspection report was released concerning the Highland Wood roof failure, and the subsequent evacuation of residents in 2019.

At the time, The Highlander wrote a story that was quickly overshadowed by the onset of COVID-19. Not only was the Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) preoccupied with the pandemic, but so was The Highlander and its readers. It wasn’t time to expand on the story and publish a more in-depth piece.

However, with the report, and other investigations, including interviewing two roofers who alleged a history of known problems with the roof, the paper continued to work on the story knowing that one day the timing would be better.

With HHHS having a solid handle on COVID and Highland Wood families wanting a comprehensive story told, we decided this was a better time.

After all, there is much to be learned from – and improved upon – from the Highland Wood roof failure, just as there is much to be learned about, and fixed, with the plight of long-term care homes during COVID-19.

We have learned that the roof saga was littered with errors. The report cited a lack of emergency planning, communication, staff support, maintenance and funding. Some families, staff and management of HHHS have now all attested to how ruinous it was and how many problems the system has.

With the onset of COVID-19, LTC homes across the province have gone through unexpected, bizarre emergencies. HHHS has passed the COVID test in its two LTC homes with flying colours. It has done a much better job of crisis management. We think part of the reason is they have learned from the roof shortcomings.

Other homes have faltered during COVID, unequipped to handle such an emergency, and thereby exposing more horrific underlying problems with LTC.

We can no longer accept the status quo. HHHS and the province must draw from Highland Wood and all other examples to fix what is broken.

We picked up the roof story again in late May, taking the necessary time to put everything together.

Much of the information in today’s Highlander, such as the inspection report and the accounts of the roofers, is new.

We wanted to ensure all the information we had was presented in one central story that can easily be referred to as the province prepares an independent commission to review LTC. We need to highlight stories like these – not to criticize HHHS during a pandemic – but to help ensure nothing gets missed when the province hopefully overhauls LTC.

To some readers, Highland Wood’s roof situation may pale in comparison to what the military found in other Ontario LTC homes. But we can’t ignore it. It’s part of a bigger picture. The commission must consider and learn from it.

Nor can we let the province off the hook. It is ridiculous that HHHS could only get grant funding to repair its Haliburton hospital roof in 2017, but not the attached LTC home, when they were the same building. Not only would this likely have prevented the tragedy two years later, but it seems inefficient not to get it all done at once. The province was non-committal when we asked about it, but we hope to see it addressed after the commission gets underway.

As our population ages, we need a robust LTC home system to handle it. It will be difficult and costly, but necessary. Sometimes, it takes a crisis to make us realize change is needed. We must ensure our leaders see this so the system can be fixed.

Golf gods said ‘today was his day’

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Lisa Gervais

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July 9, 2020

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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

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 9, 2020

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LG - HHHS changes - 1_Easy-Resize.com — HHHS CEO Carolyn Plummer

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

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 9, 2020

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LG-assessment centre 1_Easy-Resize.com — Staff in the County's new COVID-19 assessment centre.

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

By

Lisa Gervais

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July 9, 2020

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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.”